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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. With regard to strikers, what have Miguel's experiences been?

2. What special dessert is Isabel's mother is making on Saturday night?

3. What do the families have for dessert on their first dinner together?

4. In Chapter 8, it is harvest time. What crop is the family harvesting?

5. Esperanza gives the babies rice water to sip. From whom does she get this idea?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way could one see that there is even a subtle class system inherent among migrant workers?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the first chapter of Esperanza Rising, Papa instills a love of the land in Esperanza. There are several ways in which the characters can be categorized. One way is that are those who "love the land" and those who do not. Examine the love and respect for the land through the characters that are aligned with Papa with respect to the land, and how this love "gives back" to them.

Essay Topic 2

In what way is Esperanza Rising a work of socially responsible historical fiction?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of perseverance in Esperanza Rising.

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