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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who teaches Rodriguez that stereotypes are not accurate?
(a) His boss at his job.
(b) The well-educated construction workers.
(c) The other students.
(d) His professors at Stanford.

2. What does Rodriguez tell his mother about talking to strangers?
(a) She needs to learn how to talk to strangers more easily.
(b) Talking to strangers is more difficult in Spanish than English.
(c) Talking to strangers is always difficult.
(d) There are some things so intimate it is easier to say them to strangers.

3. What does Rodriguez's editor say about his idea for a book?
(a) It is not an interesting idea.
(b) He will upset a lot of people.
(c) It could be a best-seller.
(d) Writing it will be a lonely experience.

4. What example does Rodriguez offer of a program that can help minority students?
(a) Students he knew in graduate school who went for extra tutoring.
(b) Students who took a remedial reading course.
(c) His own experience: a strong educational background.
(d) Students who went to college for five years instead of four.

5. What comment from a professor makes Rodriguez rethink his use of the label "minority student"?
(a) That he automatically gets an "A" because he is a minority.
(b) That he is a bad writer because he is a minority.
(c) That his opinion is based on his minority status.
(d) That he does not count as a minority.

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

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

9. According to Rodriguez's family, what is wrong with Richard?
(a) He needs to work at hard labor.
(b) He is more like a woman because he talks a lot and has soft hands.
(c) He needs to talk more when he is at home.
(d) He needs to be more responsible.

10. In Complexion, Chapter 2, what does Rodriguez do to try to change his skin color?
(a) Bleach his skin.
(b) Take medication.
(c) Scrub the color off.
(d) Shave his arms.

11. In Complexion, Chapter 3, what does Rodriguez realize about education?
(a) It changes how people look at the world.
(b) It is a waste of time.
(c) It gives people a voice.
(d) It provides better job options.

12. What term does Rodriguez's mother ask him to explain?
(a) LSD.
(b) Affirmative action.
(c) Bilingual education.
(d) Psychiatry.

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

14. As an adult, what do people think his complexion says about him?
(a) That he is poor and works in the sun all day.
(b) That he is unhealthy.
(c) That he spends a lot of time indoors.
(d) That he is rich and lives a life of luxury.

15. What is Rodriguez's complexion like?
(a) He looks like a white boy.
(b) He is light-skinned.
(c) He is dark-skinned.
(d) He has bad acne.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does Rodriguez's mother blame him for what happened to their family?

2. Based on his conversation with his classmate, what does Rodriguez decide?

3. How does Rodriguez's mother act differently in public?

4. What does Rodriguez finally decide about affirmative action?

5. In Complexion, Chapter 3, what new hobby does Rodriguez take up?

(see the answer keys)

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