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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. Who yells out, "It is a sweep!" in Chapter 11?

2. What does Esperanza buy at the market that is not for her mother?

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

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

5. How does Esperanza get back and forth to the camp from the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In Chapter 9, when Mama is in the hospital, describe the quality of Esperanza's care giving.

5. When Esperanza details the things she misses about her mother, why is she so surprised at herself?

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

7. What is the symbolic significance of the the shrine Alfonso and Miguel erect?

8. In Chapter 9, when Esperanza brings the blanket to the hospital, why do she and Mama cry?

9. In Chapter 11, the strikers want to impede the progress of the asparagus harvest. Why is that an effective tactic?

10. How is the act of Esperanza's gift of the porcelain doll symbolic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of what the reader learns about life in the migrant work camps entails children's lives. Comment on the quality of life available to children in these circumstances and how responsible Ryan's portrayal of children in the camps is.

Essay Topic 2

The Ortegas and Alfonso's family are never far from nature. Even when they are rich, Ryan resorts to nature imagery. Later, when they live as peasants, they are close to nature. Discuss the role of nature and the nature imagery in Esperanza Rising.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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