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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 Esperanza talks of "La Migra", what is she talking about?

2. On the evening of the first dinner at Esperanza's cabin, what do the adults complain of?

3. On the morning after the strike, what does Esperanza see hanging from a tree?

4. Early in Chapter 11, what is Esperanza's criticism of the strikers?

5. What is one of the dishes that the families have on this first dinner together?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the sequence of events from Miguel and Esperanza's argument, to her money missing work to cast suspicion on Miguel as the thief?

2. How does Miguel's attitude toward his job being taken away differ from Esperanza's position about this injustice?

3. In Chapter 9, before Mama is in the hospital, how does the reader see that her illness affects all?

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

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

6. As Miguel and Esperanza drive to the market, what does Esperanza notice, apparently for the first time about herself?

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

8. At dinner when the family discusses the strike and its progress, how does Miguel's outlook differ from his father's outlook about the support for the strike?

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

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

Harvest is a time of celebration and reward. The farmer is rewarded for his hard work by the fruits of his labor. How might Papa's death so soon after harvest be a symbolic of something?

Essay Topic 2

There are many strong female characters in Esperanza Rising. Explore and discuss the view of women that arises from Ryan's characterizations of these women.

Essay Topic 3

The title of this novel is Esperanza Rising. There is a scenario in Chapter 5 wherein Esperanza feels she is floating above the earth. However, there are several meanings of the word "rising." Reflect on this scene and the meanings of this book. Finally, with attention to more than one meaning of the word, explain why Esperanza Rising is an appropriate title for this novel.

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