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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. Where does Lupe go to school?

2. Victoriano is badly beaten after trying to defend what from the bandits?

3. What does Dona Guadalupe offer to make for Don Benito?

4. Who misses the train to America with Juan?

5. Who makes fun of Lupe in front of the whole class on her first day at school?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is El Paso described the first time Juan and his family see it, and how do they feel upon arriving?

2. What is Don Manuel's behavior when he comes to perform at Sophia's wedding, and why?

3. What does Lupe do with the Colonel's gray coat that Socorro throws out?

4. Why does Socorro leave to go to the lowlands, and what is Victoriano's response?

5. Why are Juan and his family heading north to El Paso?

6. Under what circumstances does Guadalupe meet Don Victor and marry him?

7. Why is it so hard for Don Benito to keep the secret that they have discovered gold?

8. Why do Juan and Eduardo miss the train?

9. What happens to the village and to Dona Guadalupe when the mine is closed?

10. What is the condition that the townspeople put on collecting the gold from the spring?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Racism against those of Mexican descent is seen in various parts of this story. Please provide at least three examples where racism against Mexicans is seen. Who is the racist party? On the other side, please provide at least three examples of individuals who seem to ignore the racial differences between themselves and those of Mexican heritage.

Essay Topic 2

Religion is seen throughout the story. What role does religion play in this novel and in the lives of the characters in the story? Please provide two to four examples of the role or purpose of religion in the story and in the lives of the characters.

Essay Topic 3

Please describe what a plot is in a piece of literature and what the various stages of a plot are. Please provide specific examples from the book of three of the stages of the plot (you can choose any three stages you would like).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample