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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. What location was Manny's father's favorite place in the world?

2. Where did Rebecca find Manuel hiding within the confines of the pool hall?

3. What happened to make the 20 people still standing in the fields raise a cheer?

4. What did Manny's mother do upon hearing him curse?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Mr. Hart take a roundabout way when he took Manny home?

2. What caused Rebecca to think that Manuel was somewhere in the pool hall even though Rico told her that Manuel had gone home?

3. What was the main reason Nardo was reluctant to work in the fields?

4. How is the theme of racism demonstrated within the scene when Manny asks the secretary for his transcripts?

5. What parallel did Manny draw between his grandfather Ignacio's personality and his own personality?

6. What is ironic about Nardo being the one that "jeered at the [Immigration] officers" the loudest as the people were led away and put into vans?

7. What happened to alert Rebecca that Manuel was angry with Manny and that that was the reason he would not leave the pool hall after spending Manny's $20 on alcohol?

8. Why was Manuel immediately furious when he saw Manny get out of Mr. Hart's car?

9. How does the theme of "otherness" emerge within the aftermath of the Immigration officers' removal of the illegal immigrants from the field?

10. How does the theme of domestic violence arise sharply within the scene when Manuel returns from his two-day drinking binge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do housework, cleaning, and chores symbolize within the novel? Support your claim with concrete details from the narrative.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Manny’s character throughout the novel. Discuss whether he is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character. Use concrete details to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

How is the topic of materialism treated within the novel? Create a claim stating the author’s message regarding materialism and wealth. Prove your claim with concrete details from the novel.

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