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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. Why did Manny and Albert sit outside to eat even though it was too cold for most students to do so?

2. What happened inside the restroom when Manny and Rebecca carried Magda in so she could relieve herself?

3. What did the Berets believe was the one purpose of white people?

4. What chore did Rebecca do when she was hurt by Magda's threats during their argument?

5. What emotion did Manny realize the hospital receptionist's sighs about Magda's condition really signified?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was it so important to Miguel that Lencho win the boxing match against Boise?

2. What made Chico want to back out of his scheduled boxing match at the last minute?

3. How does the way in which the hospital receptionist treated the Hernandez family highlight the theme of same-race discrimination?

4. Why is it ironic for Lencho to be kicked out of the Berets after losing his boxing match to Boise?

5. What did the argument between Magda and her mother Rebecca concerning Magda ruining her future show about Magda's character?

6. Why did Manuel assume that Grandma Rosa's house would go to Rebecca and what were his plans for it when that happened?

7. How did Manny feel about his physical appearance when he compared it with Nardo's?

8. When Grandma Rosa emerged from the house while Manny and Nardo were working in her hard, what memories did she tell the boys about?

9. How does Miss Van der Meer's classroom represent the theme of racial inequality?

10. When Manny dreamt of Grandma Rosa the night before her funeral, what happened within his dream and how did he react once he woke up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Determine the author's message regarding the power of choice within the novel. Support your claim with quotes from the narrative. Be sure to use a variety of characters and situations to back up your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Many characters within the novel exemplify pervasive stereotypes about Mexican-Americans, including Nardo's laziness, Manuel's violent nature, and Rebecca's passivity in the face of abuse. Write an argumentative essay about whether or not the novel should be read in schools. Support your points with concrete details from the narrative.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss characters' fear of their own emotions within the novel's narrative. Create a strong, specific claim about the author's message regarding this topic and support your argument with concrete details from the novel.

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