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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. Whom does Don Ygnacio meet on his way back from visiting a man with rabies?

2. What does Bernarda believe was the beginning of her downfall?

3. What have the drugs done to Bernarda Cabrera?

4. What does Ygnacio refuse to do with his wife?

5. After the death of his wife, why does Ygnacio keep his dogs near?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ygnacio's first wife deal with her husband?

2. What happens to Sierva while in the marketplace?

3. Why must the convent not cut Sierva's hair?

4. What is special about the tall slave girl brought into New Grenada from the ship?

5. What is the connection between the skull found in the crypts of the convent and the author's memories of a legend?

6. How does Bernarda force the Marquis into marriage?

7. Why does Sierva prefer to live in the slave quarters instead of the mansion?

8. Why does Olivia escape from the madhouse and what is the result?

9. How does the friendship between Ygnacio and Dr. Abrenuncio begin?

10. Describe Ygnacio as a youth.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Citing specific examples from the text and including a strong thesis statement, discuss the use of religion in this novel, including the following:

- Dr. Abrenuncio's relationship with the church and the Marquis

- Dominga's religions and the effects on Sierva Part

- The Abbess and the Bishop's relationship with each other.

Essay Topic 2

Citing specific examples from the text, discuss the author's use of magic realism in this novel. In what ways does the author make this story true to life? In what ways is this story fantastical? (Please note that the term "fantastical" encompasses more than just the miracle of Sierva's hair growing after death and is meant as something that likely could not happen in real life).

Essay Topic 3

Sierva asks her father if love can truly conquer all. His response is that, while it can, it would be best if she did not believe it. Citing specific examples from the text, discuss the statement within the overall context of this novel. How does this statement ring true for Sierva? How does it fail? Does it appear that she believes love can conquer all? In the end, does it? Provide thorough explanations for each statement.

(see the answer keys)

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