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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. As part of the deal between Smokey and Francisco, Francisco attended what kind of event?

2. How many pounds did Francisco gain over his freshman year of college?

3. To what California city did Francisco travel in order to attend college at the start of the memoir?

4. How many hours per week did Francisco work during his first summer home from college?

5. On which of Francisco's initial days at college was he scheduled to take an English placement test?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Which member of the Jimenez family is singled out as the person he will miss the most and why?

4. Describe an instance when Jimenez uses a simile in order to underscore the nature of a particular emotion.

5. Name every member of Jimenez's immediate family.

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

7. From what source do Francisco's ideas about college emerge prior to moving into his dormitory?

8. What major event is taking place at the time of the memoir's opening?

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

Write an essay that discusses the symbolism of the cover art chosen for Reaching Out.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

In what way does Jimenez go about breaking the text into parts and how do these structural elements help to advance the text’s arguments?

(see the answer keys)

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