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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was it about chili pepper picking that "lured workers from Mexico needing quick cash for rent or emergency food" (11)?
(a) The weighing area workers paid the pickers right after announcing their loads.
(b) It was a job that required little to no equipment investment.
(c) The location of the chili fields was hidden and unlikely to attract Immigration officers.
(d) The spicy pollen emanating from the peppers bothered most people, but Mexicans used to utilizing peppers in their cooking were not bothered.

2. When Stinky broke a bone in Manny's little finger, what lie did he tell his mother about how he got hurt?
(a) He said he got it caught in the rungs of a ladder.
(b) He said he broke it sliding into second base.
(c) He said he got it caught in a joint of jungle gym.
(d) He said that Magda hit it with an iron when he was helping her at her laundry job.

3. Why did Rebecca keep looking back over her shoulder when she was taking Manny home from the pool hall?
(a) She was afraid that Manuel was following them.
(b) She wanted to see if a bus was coming that could take them the rest of the way home.
(c) She wanted to see if her friend Sophie was behind them.
(d) She was hoping that Manuel was following them.

4. Though kids were not allowed at the pool hall, where was Manny sometimes allowed to sit in order to wait for his dad?
(a) In the men's room.
(b) In the kitchen next to the dishwasher.
(c) On a stool at the far end of the bar.
(d) At a picnic table just outside the front doors.

5. Where did Rebecca find Manuel hiding within the confines of the pool hall?
(a) In the alleyway.
(b) In the kitchen.
(c) In the ladies' room.
(d) In the men's room.

6. While Manny and his mother were watching Manny's father trying to start the car, what was Manny's little sister Pedi doing?
(a) Playing Jacks on the porch.
(b) Studying a caterpillar in her hands.
(c) Erasing sparrow tracks from the dusty porch.
(d) Asking her father to take her with him to the pool hall.

7. What did Manny's mother do upon hearing him curse?
(a) She pleaded with Manny's father to discipline him when they arrived home.
(b) She yelled at him in Spanish.
(c) She told him calmly that he was grounded for the next week.
(d) She smacked him in the mouth.

8. How many days did Manuel's drinking binge last before Rebecca and Manny went to try to get him to come home?
(a) Three days.
(b) Two days.
(c) Four days.
(d) Seven days.

9. What did Manny mean when he said, "I was of my grandpa Ignacio's line of useful blood?" (6)
(a) He meant that his grandfather believed in organ and blood donation.
(b) He meant that his grandfather was an extremely hard worker.
(c) He meant that his grandfather believed that family should come before everything else in life.
(d) He meant that his grandfather would do whatever he could for anyone in need.

10. What object did Manuel use to signal Manny that he wanted him to go his room?
(a) His hat.
(b) A cigarette.
(c) His watch.
(d) A chinaberry branch.

11. Why did Manny decide against calling his dad for a ride home from his school?
(a) Because he was embarrassed by his father's dilapidated car.
(b) Because his brother Nardo was more likely to give him a ride.
(c) Because he knew his father was probably at Rico's Pool Hall.
(d) Because Manny thought his dad would have a hangover and would be mad at him for calling.

12. What did Mr. Hart write on the paper bag during his meeting with Manny in his office?
(a) Give the Hernandez boy $20.
(b) Remember to pick up milk.
(c) Be back in 20 minutes.
(d) Send Manny's transcripts to Hawthorn School.

13. What location was Manny's father's favorite place in the world?
(a) Rich's Pool Hall.
(b) Puerto's Pool Hall.
(c) The Big Lawn.
(d) Rico's Pool Hall.

14. At what did Manuel point to when he asked Manny, "Don't you think I know people like this?" (47)?
(a) The sky.
(b) The back of Mr. Hart's car as he drove away.
(c) The political sign in the neighbor's front yard.
(d) The picture of the president on Manny's $20.

15. What object did Manuel hit his own head with when he was trying to show Manny how fed up he was with Rebecca?
(a) A ruler.
(b) A liquor bottle.
(c) A bottle of pills.
(d) A rifle.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Manny's mother pressed her hands down onto Manny's shoulders, what was the scent coming from her hands?

2. What did Manny do in Mr. Hart's office when Mr. Hart motioned for him to sit down?

3. When he watches the way that the Mexican man in the next row over moves gracefully and efficiently while picking peppers, at what job did Manny say the man would excel?

4. What did Manuel exclaim when he first arrived home from the Pool Hall after a two-day binge?

5. When Pedi was helping Manuel pick up the bullets he had dropped onto the ground, Manuel picked up a bullet as well. What did he do with it?

(see the answer keys)

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