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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 object does Xiomara use as a metaphor to express the loneliness she feels at the thought of being sent to the Dominican Republic?

2. The poem on page 232 is entitled "My Heart is a" what?

3. Which poetry club member is extremely quiet, according to Xiomara?

4. What is distinctive about the poem entitled "A Poem Mami Will Never Read" (233)?

5. In what way does Xavier communicate with Xiomara when she arrives at his school unexpectedly?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Xiomara comfort Xavier during his emotional breakdown?

2. Discuss the humanist messages present within the short poem entitled "Wants" (146).

3. How does Xavier keep his parents from finding out about Cody, though he has been crying about the break-up for days?

4. What event causes Xiomara to break up with Aman?

5. Discuss Xiomara's use of personification in the poem entitled "Silent World" (223).

6. What event causes Xiomara to wonder about the qualities of silence and its possible destructive nature?

7. What is the cause of Xavier's emotional breakdown within the narrative?

8. What is the cause of the marked change in the relationship between Xiomara and Mami?

9. For what purpose does Xiomara use the metaphor of a balloon to describe her feelings when she sees Cody?

10. To what location does Xiomara take the train in an effort to catch Xavier off guard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Could The Poet X be classified as a coming-of-age novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Xiomara’s character throughout the novel. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about The Poet X while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

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