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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 is saved when the bus stops to pick her up?

2. How many men have been killed according to information Valentin receives?

3. Who does the waiter have so that he does not have to be alone while Molina is in prison?

4. The man who owns the house in the woods enter the ___________ branch of the military.

5. What is Irena not allowed to do with her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Valentin say helps him escape his cell and his reality?

2. What happens to the first wife of the man in the story?

3. What does the servant girl do for the man who goes off to war?

4. What happens when Molina wants to coddle Valentin again during this chapter?

5. What does the maid confess when it seems obvious she knows more than she should about the zombie woman story?

6. What does the man notice about the woman he has met during the festivities?

7. By whom would Valentin really like the letter to be written?

8. What does Molina propose to the Warden in order to increase the chances of Valentin opening up to him?

9. What is Valentin's reaction to Molina's illness?

10. Who are some of the old friends and family Molina contacts once he is out of the prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The writing style of Puig allows readers a chance to fill in the blanks, using their own imagination. This has been seen as a weak writing style, but also a powerful writing style by critics.

Part 1: What does the lack of every detail do for the story Puig is trying to tell?

Part 2: Would the story's power be lessened by more narrative and detail? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think it matters if the blanks you fill in with your imagination are different from the blanks another reader might fill in? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

While some might view this manuscript as a triumph and a celebration of homosexuality, others feel it is a condemnation of this sexuality.

Part 1: What are some of the ways homosexuality is criticized in this story?

Part 2: What are some of the ways homosexuality is celebrated in this story?

Part 3: In the end, does it seem like homosexuality is thought to be a positive lifestyle or a negative lifestyle? Support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Women do not seem to play a large role in the story, being relegated only to the maternal role and to the person Valentin continues his fight for.

Part 1: Who are the female characters in this story? What is their relationship to the main characters of the dialogue?

Part 2: Do the female characters seem stronger or weaker than the male characters? Why did you choose the answer you did?

Part 3: What does Puig seem to be saying about the female gender?

(see the answer keys)

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