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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the family's use of the word "gringo" change as the children learn more English?
(a) They stop saying it because they no longer use Spanish words.
(b) They use it to compliment each other on how well they speak English.
(c) The children do not like their parents to use that word any more.
(d) It starts to mean "a non-Hispanic American" as opposed to the "other" or "outsider" that it used to imply.

2. How does Rodriguez feel when he observes the group of black teenagers on the bus?
(a) He wishes he could be their friend.
(b) He is irritated because they are noisy.
(c) He is scared because they look tough.
(d) He envies their close bond.

3. What does Rodriguez say is the real reason for his success?
(a) Working very hard.
(b) Reading every book he could find.
(c) Kissing up to the teacher.
(d) Remembering what his life was like before he was educated.

4. Why is the picture of Christ with a punctured heart important?
(a) It is the first gift his family gets from a priest.
(b) It symbolizes the intersection of church, school, and home.
(c) It frightens Richard and gives him nightmares.
(d) It symbolizes everything his family believes about God.

5. How does Rodriguez get involved in his church?
(a) He studies to become a priest.
(b) He reads the Bible aloud in church.
(c) He becomes an altar boy.
(d) He goes to mass every week.

6. When does Rodriguez begin to question his religion?
(a) When they tell him not to ask questions about religion.
(b) When he starts to read more books.
(c) After he graduates from school.
(d) When he is in college.

7. As Rodriguez moves into college and graduate school, how does his relationship with his parents change?
(a) They start talking again.
(b) They argue a lot.
(c) They have even less to say to each other.
(d) They ask him a lot more questions about his studies.

8. As Rodriguez moves into graduate school, what does he realize about his education?
(a) He is the most educated person in his family.
(b) He is afraid of failing in school.
(c) His parents will never be proud of his accomplishments.
(d) He is using it to hide from his life.

9. How does Rodriguez's education affect his relationship with his parents?
(a) It causes a separation between them.
(b) His parents brag about him all the time.
(c) It makes him feel closer to his parents.
(d) His parents stop talking to him.

10. How does mass help his family?
(a) They pray for family closeness.
(b) They all go out to eat afterwards and have a good time.
(c) They all participate in the mass together.
(d) They go to mass together, even as they are growing more distant.

11. What is Rodriguez told about reading the Bible?
(a) Read it every day.
(b) Read it at mass on Sunday.
(c) Do not read it at all.
(d) Read it in the classroom with someone to guide him.

12. What did Rodriguez learn about other religions beside his own?
(a) Everybody needs to choose their own religion.
(b) Other religions are similar to his own religion.
(c) They are "wrong" and his religion is "right."
(d) There are lots of good religions in the world.

13. Where does Rodriguez believe Spanish should be spoken?
(a) In public.
(b) Everywhere.
(c) In private, with family or close friends.
(d) In the classroom.

14. As Rodriguez learns more English, what does he do about his parents' English skills?
(a) He tells them to be quiet and let him do the talking.
(b) He corrects their grammar.
(c) He gets angry at them for speaking Spanish.
(d) He teaches them how to speak English.

15. How does Rodriguez's father react to his educational accomplishments?
(a) He throws away Richard's diploma.
(b) He teases him, but is still proud of him.
(c) He does not care if Richard does well in school.
(d) He says college is a waste of time.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rodriguez's mother change as the family starts to speak English more?

2. What religious figure was very important in his parents' old church, but becomes less important in the new church?

3. As Rodriguez reaches the end of his education, what does he have to confront?

4. How does Rodriguez describe his life as a child?

5. How does Rodriguez's mother react to his educational accomplishments?

(see the answer keys)

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