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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 disease was Paula diagnosed with?

2. What was the basis for Allende's writing as a child?

3. Why does Allende decide to write down her history and stories?

4. Who is Ernesto?

5. Who is Paula?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Allende and Ernesto both let go of Paula?

2. What was the influence of Uncle Pablo in Allende's life?

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

4. Why did Allende and her family have such a difficult time adapting to life in Caracas?

5. What topic does Allende turn to during the dark days of waiting at the hospital in Spain?

6. How did Tio Ramon come to be a father figure for Allende?

7. What is Paula's initial diagnosis and how does Allende feel when she realizes the nature of her daughter's illness?

8. Why is Allende so adamant about pushing the doctors to wean Paula off oxygen?

9. What is the setting for this section of the book?

10. Describe the format of the book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role of Tio Ramon in Allende's life. What was his impact on her life? What was the evolution of their relationship? Cite some examples to support your answers.

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

PAULA, although biographical, is a classic story of coming to terms with loss. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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