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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. Tita refuses to throw away the ___________, and decides to use them in a recipe.

2. What will not thicken as a result of Tita's many tears?

3. What does John ask Tita to do for him in order to help him understand why she doesn't speak?

4. What is Nacha's role in the ranch where the women live?

5. Tita screams at her mother because Mama gave her ______________ too many.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tita plan to fatten up the turkeys for the meal she wishes to prepare?

2. Why does Mama Elena burn Gertrudis' birth certificate upon hearing news of her life?

3. What does Tita do in order to trick the child into sleeping in her own room instead of in the kitchen?

4. What has happened to Rosaura, as Tita sees after coming back from Pedro's room?

5. What does Tita tell Pedro after he expressed his displeasure in her marriage choice?

6. What does Gertrudis do on purpose so that Pedro overhears her conversation with Tita?

7. Why can the old Indian women and Tita speak without saying any words aloud?

8. What are the guests' reactions after eating the wedding cake Tita has prepared?

9. What happened when the Indian women went to the bedside of John's great great grandfather?

10. Why wasn't Tita upset about the frying of her little sausage creatures during the holiday season?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Magical realism is one of the literary decides the author uses in this story, often with beautiful results in the narrative.

Part 1: Define the idea of magical realism.

Part 2: Why do you think the author chooses magical realism over typical storytelling?

Part 3: How does magical realism strengthen the story? How does it weaken it?

Essay Topic 2

It's interesting to watch the story unfold as the reader sees a group of strong women dominating the narrative. This is much different from the typical stories most of us are told.

Part 1: Why do you think the women of the family in this story are so strong? What might the reason be?

Part 2: In what ways are the women of the story strong? How do each of the family members - Mama, Tita, Gertrudius, and Rosaura each demonstrate their strength?

Part 3: How might the story have been different had the characters not been as strong?

Essay Topic 3

The ending of the story seems to be confusing for those who read this book. After all, it seems like the characters die and nothing is left but ashes.

Part 1: How do you interpret the ending of the story?

Part 2: What are some other meanings the author might have had for the ending of the book?

Part 3: Does this ending seem suitable to Tita and Pedro? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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