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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. When does Mari tell Tyler that her grandmother died?

2. Why did Mari's mother go back to Mexico alone?

3. In Las Margaritas, how far is it to walk to school?

4. Who are the girls in school who have made Mari their project?

5. What games does Tyler take to the Cruz girls and then forget to leave for them?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Aunt Roxie and Uncle Tony, and why did Tyler spend a month with them in Boston?

2. What does Mari say about the money her father and uncles send to their family in Mexico?

3. Why is Mari not able to send the letters she has written her mother in August of 2005?

4. What does Tyler think is strange about the Cruz girls and their mother?

5. How do Tyler's parents think they will be able to keep the farm?

6. Why does Tyler's father think the Mexicans working for them may not be legal?

7. Why does Grandma visit the Cruzes in their trailer in December?

8. How did Tyler spend the month with his aunt Roxie and uncle Tony?

9. What does Mari compare the swallows to when Tyler tells her they migrate to Mexico in the fall?

10. What does Tyler think about his granfather's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alvarez reveals Tyler’s life during a pivotal time. How do the events in Return to Sender help Tyler mature and grow in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Mari writes letters to her mother even though she cannot send them. Why does Mari begin writing letters to her mother even when they do not know where she is? How and why are the letters therapy for Mari?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in Return to Sender? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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