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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. Allende tells Paula that Paula was Tata's _______________________.

2. What did Tio Ramon do for Allende's mother and brothers?

3. Who lures Allende into the woods for inappropriate reasons?

4. Who dies when Allende is very young?

5. Where does Ernesto's father return to?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Allende use art as a form of expression as a young girl?

2. What were Allende's political beliefs and how did she feel about President Salvador Allende?

3. What happens to Allende's family after the death of Meme?

4. What accommodations have been made for Paula in Allende's home?

5. What does Allende share about her early school days in Santiago?

6. What are some of the positive and negative effects of Salvador Allende's election to president of Chile?

7. What loving acts do Paula's family members do prior to her death?

8. What is Paula's condition at this point in time?

9. What initiated Allende's writing her first book?

10. Describe Allende's grandmother, Meme's special gifts.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Allende's work is sometimes categorized as magic realism. Explain what that means to you and why it is a common categorization for Latin writers especially. Cite an example that supports this classification of Allende's writing.

Essay Topic 2

Allende is a creative woman who lives an unconventional life. Do you think Allende could indulge her idiosyncrasies because her family's lifestyle allowed it? Or would Allende have found some outlet for her quirkiness regardless of her station in life? How much is financial status an issue in living the life that one pleases as opposed to the life one is obligated to live?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the irony of Allende's daughter-in-law giving birth to her first child in the room where Paula will be brought to live out the balance of her life. Explain why this is an example of the circle of life and why Allende is particularly in tune with elements of nature and spirit.

(see the answer keys)

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