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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. How does Cesar try to help his brother?

2. To where does Nestor invite the girl?

3. What does Cesar do to Delores?

4. What do Cesar and Nestor escape in 1949?

5. What opportunity does Cesar take while in California?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cesar feel about asking Lydia out on a date?

2. How do the Mambo Kings meet Desi Arnaz?

3. Why does Mariela not want to leave Cuba?

4. What does Celia want from Cesar? Is she successful?

5. About what is "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love?"

6. How does Cesar help young Cuban musicians?

7. What is it that Cesar likes about Lydia?

8. How does the novel end?

9. Why does Cesar visit Bernardito Mandelbaum? What does he give him?

10. How does Cesar's relationship with Celia end?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maria is Nestor's lost love.

Part 1) How does he lose her?

Part 2) What does he do to remember and honor her?

Part 3) How does he try to forget her? Is he successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The Mambo Kings grow close to Desi Arnaz.

Part 1) Who is Desi Arnaz?

Part 2) How do they meet Arnaz?

Part 3) What affect does their relationship with Arnaz have on their lives?

Essay Topic 3

A powerful theme in this novel is that the bonds of love are unbreakable.

Part 1) Name two unbreakable bonds of love found in this novel.

Part 2) Describe these two bonds.

Part 3) Is all the love in this book unbreakable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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