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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which woman runs up the arriving soldiers and immediately begins flirting with them?

2. What does don Graciano allow young Arroyo to hold while he is working in the hacienda?

3. In what room of La Luna's home did General Arroyo hide during the early days of the revolution?

4. What does Harriet think the old gringo smells like?

5. What does the old gringo think is the one factor that permeates all relationships?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It becomes clear quite early in the text that the old gringo is running away from his past as he flees to Mexico. Explain the history of events that have happened in the old gringo's life, and how these events inevitably led him to Mexico.

Essay Topic 2

The old gringo has many names in the course of the novel: the old gringo, the American, and Ambrose Bierce. Explain how the old gringo gained each of these three names, and explain what each of the names means to him as a character.

Essay Topic 3

The old gringo sets out to Mexico with the hopes of dying there. Explain why the old gringo is drawn to such a drastic conclusion, and what brings him to Mexico. Finally, explain why you think the old gringo does, or does not, achieve the goal he is after.

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This section contains 269 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample