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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In order to avail themselves of the smuggler's help, Mahmoud and his family must first make it to what city on the coast of Turkey?
(a) Antalya.
(b) Izmir.
(c) Istanbul.
(d) Ankara.

2. When the narrative rejoins Josef in 1939, each member of the family is now wearing what item?
(a) A Star of David armband.
(b) A Star of David tattoo.
(c) A prisoner number placard.
(d) A red jacket.

3. What reason does Isabel's father give for forbidding anyone to strike a match even though their boat is about to be hit by a tanker?
(a) He thinks the current wind will immediately extinguish the flame.
(b) He does not want them to waste their few matches.
(c) Being saved will result in being sent back to Cuba.
(d) The tanker is likely manned by human traffickers.

4. What happens to halt the song being sung by the occupants of Isabel's boat?
(a) Ivan shouts that he sees a boat on the horizon.
(b) Lita tells them all to hush so she can think.
(c) Isabel shouts that she sees a shark.
(d) The boat's motor splutters and dies.

5. Who takes on the role of being "in charge of the boat" (81) on which Isabel and her family are traveling?
(a) Lito.
(b) Señor Castillo.
(c) Luis.
(d) Ivan.

Short Answer Questions

1. Even though Fidel Castro announces to the Cuban people that they are now free to leave Cuba whenever they want, why is Isabel's mother still especially wary about the trip?

2. When Señor Castillo asks Isabel's father what he wants to do when he gets to America, what is Isabel's father's reply?

3. When Isabel and the others are getting ready to start their journey in the boat, two police officers run toward them. Who do they turn out to be?

4. To what type of structure does the boy lead Mahmoud and his family?

5. When Mahmoud and his family meet the smuggler at the designated meeting point, when does he say the boat will leave?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event is just about to happen when the motor of Isabel's family's boat splutters and dies?

2. How is the the ship Josef's family boards shown by the author to be paradoxical?

3. Why do Josef and the other kids on the ship tour become uneasy when they hear some members of the crew singing "The Horst Wessel Song" (95)?

4. How is Isabel's kitten used by the author to send a message about hunger and fear?

5. What U.S. policies change and make it harder for Cuban people to seek refuge in the United States?

6. List some of Isabel's and the other boat passengers' expectations of what life will be like in America.

7. Why does Isabel feel awe in response to the riots in Cuba in addition to fear?

8. How is irony employed within the author's choice of the material that lines Isabel's boat?

9. What does Mahmoud buy for his little brother Waleed at a shop in the Turkish refugee camp and what does he hope to achieve with his purchase?

10. How does the author go about portraying Mahmoud as an empathetic soul?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,386 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample