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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 Bernarda spend her time after Judas's death?

2. At the end of chapter two, what does the narrator state will happen to Sierva?

3. From what continent do Sierva's language skills come from?

4. What action takes place that has the Bishop stepping in to check on Sierva?

5. Where does the next scene of chapter one take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sierva have a strong affinity for the African culture?

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

3. What condition does the beginning of the book find Bernarda in and why?

4. Why does Sierva lie to Dr. Abrenuncio?

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

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

7. How does Sierva's relationship with her father improve in Chapter 2?

8. Why does the Marquis give his daughter to the Holy Office?

9. Describe the character of the Bishop.

10. How is rabies treated by the citizens of New Grenada from the first chapter?

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 physical intimacy of Cayetano's relationship to Sierva, including the following:

- His fascination with her before their first meeting.

- Sierva's relationship to the Virgin Mary.

- Cayetano's self-flagellation.

- Cayetano's insistence that the girl remain a virgin until their marriage.

Essay Topic 2

Citing specific examples from the text, write an essay discussing one of the following:

- The symbolism of Sierva's hair.

- Father Aquino as a martyr.

- Father Cayetano's work with the lepers and his personal wish to contract leprosy.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the paradox of Sierva being subjected to a torturous exorcism so that other characters may rid themselves of their own demons. Citing specific examples from the text, write an essay discussing one of the following:

- What is her family's role in her behavior and her subsequent imprisonment?

- The Bishop's perceived failure to keep everyone faithful to the church.

- The Abbess's extreme distaste for the citizens of New Grenada.

(see the answer keys)

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