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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. About what historical figure are Aman and Xiomara learning when the fire alarm goes off?

2. What kind of day does it turn into for X after she sees the evidence of Xavier's beating?

3. In what activity is Xiomara engaging when her mother spots her on the train?

4. How many months away is the citywide slam when Chris hands out flyers about it?

5. Part III is entitled "The Voice of One" (221) taking what action?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of deception appear within the relationship between Xiomara and Caridad?

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

3. What writing prompt leads Xiomara to write about the feeling of being heard?

4. What is on the list of prohibited behaviors Xiomara includes in the poem entitled "What I Don't Tell Aman" (148)?

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

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

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

8. What activity does Xiomara decide that she wants to share with Aman and why?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how and why Acevedo instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of The Poet X.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the reasons why Acevedo uses both the first person point-of-view and the structure of a verse novel to tell Xiomara’s story in the The Poet X. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is Acevedo's intended effect on the reader?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 940 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample