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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 was the name of Grandma Rosa's cat?

3. What need did Lencho have after the fight that Manny fulfilled after taking pity on him?

4. What did Manny describe as the two main activities that students did in Miss Van der Meer's English classes?

5. What did Nardo do just before he went to bed on the night he climbed into the bedroom window?

Short Essay Questions

1. Though at first Rebecca claimed it was their lack of money that was keeping her from taking Magda back to the hospital after her fever kept rising, what did she finally admit was the real reason?

2. Manny relates that his maternal grandfather died a few years back. What was his grandfather's health like before he died?

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

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

5. When the fight was not going well for Lencho and Miguel screamed at him to attack Boise, what reason did Manny give for wanting to scream at Miguel to shut his mouth?

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

7. What actions did Manny hope Rebecca would take in response to Manuel's abusive actions that resulted in his being jailed?

8. How does Manny's act of nearly shooting his little sister Pedi play into the novel's theme regarding the power of choice?

9. Why was Manny so reluctant to let Nardo go into Grandma Rosa's house to fix them some Kool-Aid?

10. Who were the Berets?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the treatment of the unconscious within the novel, in particular focusing on dreams and second sight. Why are these elements included by the author and what effect do they have on the reader's understanding of the novel's themes and messages? Use concrete details from the narrative to support your points.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the African-American newspaper man's decision not to tell the police that Manny was an accomplice in Eddie's robbery of the woman outside the bank. Why does he make that decision and how do you know? In terms of traditional Western morality, what his decision just? Back up your points with quotes from the robbery scene.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the effect of alcoholism on the health of the Hernandez family. What conflicts are a direct result of alcohol abuse and what is the author's subsequent message regarding alcoholism and its effect on families? Support your points with concrete details from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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