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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When asparagus season begins and the truck arrives to take Esperanza, Hortensia, and Josefina to the field, what does a man have to protect them?

2. What does Esperanza do to keep warm while she works in Chapter 9?

3. What does the person is in the hospital in Chapter 9 request that Esperanza bring?

4. What does Esperanza give to children of the poor man who approaches them at the market?

5. Who encourages Esperanza to do her first job well so she will get hired again?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Esperanza's visit to the hospital on Christmas Day?

2. When Esperanza helps Marta after the immigration sweep, what is it about Marta that wins over Esperanza?

3. When the doctor comes to examine Mama and diagnose her illness, how does Esperanza react?

4. At the end of the Chapter 7, Esperanza prays. How do her prayers reveal the subtle change she is beginning to make?

5. In what way is Mama's illness a commentary on the working conditions of the migrant workers?

6. Chapter 10 is entitled Los Aguacates, the avocados. Why is this a meaningful title for this particular chapter?

7. What is significant about Esperanza giving beans to the man at Marta's camp?

8. How does Esperanza's babysitting skills progress as Chapter 8 develops?

9. Comment on the image of communal life at this work camp once the work day is over that Ryan portrays in Chapter 7.

10. Where are Esperanza's sympathies with regard to the strikers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Esperanza Rising there are numerous references to religion, praying, and engaging "spirits" of dead people in conversations or decisions. Discuss the role spirituality plays in the lives of the characters of Esperanza Rising.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2 of Esperanza Rising, Esperanza is at a low point and her grandmother reminds her of a story she has told Esperanza many times, the myth of the phoenix rising out of its own ashes. What is inspirational about this myth and why is it appropriate that Abuelita, rather than any other character, be the one to refer to this myth at this time?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the time span of the story from harvest to harvest. How does the author's use of nature's cycle help her narrative?

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