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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. Which member of Francisco's family was the first to make fun of his weight gain?

2. In what grade was Roberto when he and his brother Francisco lived together without their other family members?

3. The student who gave Francisco and Smokey a ride back to their dorm bragged about attending what college?

4. How many hours per week did Francisco work before he left to attend college in California?

5. In what year was the Jimenez family deported to Mexico before returning to immigrate to the United States legally?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss a time in the memoir when Jimenez makes a connection between racism and some other form of prejudice.

2. How did Jimenez come to be an avid fan of Elvis Presley?

3. What did a green uniform used to signify for Jimenez and why?

4. What good news did Jimenez receive shortly after the drunken weekend that caused him to feel deep shame?

5. For what length of time did the Jimenez family live in the United States after their first arrival there?

6. What caused Jimenez to join the Reserve Officers Training Corps during college?

7. Discuss a scene in which Jimenez employs sensory details in order to create a particular mood.

8. Which aspect of Jimenez's departure for college causes him unexpected pain?

9. What part of Jimenez's membership in the ROTC did he enjoy?

10. Contrast Smokey's favorite pastime with Jimenez's favorite pastime during their freshman year.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the theme of injustice portrayed within Reaching Out? Examine Jimenez's treatment of and messages regarding injustice throughout the work.

Essay Topic 2

How does Jimenez use sensory details in order to strengthen the text’s messages? Discuss at least two passages that include the use of sensory details and pull quotes from these passages to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jimenez’s use of Aristotle's appeals within the text of the memoir Reaching Out. How does Jimenez use each of the three appeals to persuade the reader of points central to the overall messages of the work?

(see the answer keys)

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