View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the students say about Rodriguez?
(a) He seems smart, but acts dumb.
(b) He is a know-it-all.
(c) He is Mexican, but acts white.
(d) He is too politically conservative.

2. Does Rodriguez's mother blame him for what happened to their family?
(a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) Yes, but she also blames herself.
(d) No, but she thinks he made it worse when he went to London.

3. What does Rodriguez learn about complexion from his family?
(a) Be proud of your complexion, no matter what.
(b) Complexion does not matter.
(c) Light skin is ugly.
(d) Dark skin is ugly.

4. How does Rodriguez feel about writing a book on his family?
(a) He is worried about what his family will say.
(b) He is excited about it.
(c) It is very hard for him.
(d) It is very easy for him.

5. When he was a child, what did his parents say he looked like?
(a) A poor Mexican man who works in the sun.
(b) A wealthy boy who does not work.
(c) A ghost.
(d) A sick child.

6. What is one thing that Rodriguez says happened to black students promoted through affirmative action?
(a) Some of them failed because they did not have a strong educational background.
(b) They succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.
(c) They were a great example for future generations of black students.
(d) They did not do any better than students who "earned" their way in.

7. Now that he is a teacher, what does Rodriguez blame white students for?
(a) They are rude to the minority students.
(b) They do not make an effort to help poor white students get an education.
(c) They are arrogant and selfish about their grades.
(d) They think they are smarter than the professors.

8. Why does Rodriguez's mother call him "Mr. Secrets"?
(a) Because he likes to surprise them.
(b) Because he does not talk to his family.
(c) Because he lies to his family.
(d) Because he hides things from his family.

9. How does Rodriguez describe the changes in the mass that happen as he grows up?
(a) It becomes less formal.
(b) It is more like a prayer than a community celebration.
(c) It is more like a community celebration than a prayer.
(d) It becomes more formal and structured.

10. What do the Hispanic college students ask Rodriguez to do?
(a) To teach a course in minority literature.
(b) To write them recommendations for graduate school.
(c) To lead a protest.
(d) To give a speech to their student group.

11. In the last chapters of the book, what is Rodriguez keeping secret from his family?
(a) That he dropped out of school.
(b) That he wants to be a construction worker.
(c) That he's writing a book.
(d) That he no longer goes to church.

12. When he is a child, what do people say about Rodriguez's complexion?
(a) They tell him to see a doctor to get help.
(b) They tell him he is handsome.
(c) They tease him.
(d) They joke with him about how light his skin is.

13. What happens to Rodriguez as a result of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination?
(a) He is scared to pursue more education.
(b) He gets more scholarships and opportunities.
(c) He loses his scholarship to a black student.
(d) He becomes involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

14. What does Rodriguez think about how the meaning of a person's complexion has changed?
(a) Nobody pays any attention to complexion any more.
(b) His dark skin used to be unpopular, but now is popular.
(c) His dark skin used to be popular, but now is unpopular.
(d) People used to ignore his complexion, but now they make a big deal about it.

15. Why do the new minority students on campus make Rodriguez uneasy?
(a) They try to speak to him in Spanish.
(b) They celebrate the cultural heritage that he has rejected.
(c) They dress funny.
(d) They act like revolutionaries and promote violence.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rodriguez's sister's friend challenge his ideas about complexion?

2. Who teaches Rodriguez that stereotypes are not accurate?

3. How do Rodriguez's parents see themselves in American society?

4. In Complexion, Chapter 2, what does Rodriguez do to try to change his skin color?

5. What does Rodriguez's professor ask him about applying for teaching jobs?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 799 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample