View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Father Sean originally comes from what country?

2. In the poem "In Translation" (234), Xiomara describes Mami's lips as what objects?

3. Xavier comes home with what visible evidence of a beating?

4. Xiomara overhears Mami making plans to send Xiomara to the Dominican Republic for what length of time?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In what way does the theme of appearance versus reality appear within Xiomara's fight with Mami about Aman?

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

6. Who is Cody?

7. How does Acevedo slowly introduce the elements of performance poetry into the narrative?

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

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

10. Who is ultimately in charge of determining whether Xiomara's behavior is correct or not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of The Poet X and analyze Acevedo's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Explicate the theme of courage within The Poet X. What is Acevedo's message regarding courage and how do you know?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about The Poet X while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 885 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample