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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As he gets older, what do people tell Rodriguez about his complexion?
(a) They tell him to see a doctor to get help.
(b) They tease him.
(c) They joke with him about how light his skin is.
(d) They are envious of his "tan."

2. According to Rodriguez, what did some sympathetic professors do for black students who were struggling?
(a) They gave the students passing grades they had not earned.
(b) They helped the students cheat on tests.
(c) They helped the students with their homework.
(d) They tutored them outside of class.

3. In Mr. Secrets, Chapter 1, what does Rodriguez's mother beg him not to do?
(a) Quit school.
(b) Stop going to church.
(c) Get married.
(d) Write a book about their family.

4. Is Rodriguez's classmate as good a student as Rodriguez is?
(a) Yes, but the schools do not want to hire him because he has controversial political views.
(b) Yes, but he has a bad work history.
(c) No.
(d) Yes.

5. What is Rodriguez aware of when he visits his rich friends?
(a) His friends talk about skin color differently than his family does.
(b) His friends treat him differently because of his skin color.
(c) There are dark-skinned servants, but he is a friend, not a servant.
(d) His friends are fascinated by his skin color.

6. What does Rodriguez hope writing the book will do?
(a) Allow him to move forward and face his future.
(b) Explain his history.
(c) Share his ideas on education.
(d) Please his parents.

7. When Rodriguez gets a summer job during college , what does it teach him about "real work"?
(a) He does not like real work.
(b) Real work is much easier than academic work.
(c) He likes real work better than academic work.
(d) It would take him more than three months to learn how to do it successfully.

8. Where does Rodriguez feel comfortable? Why?
(a) At church, because he believes God loves him in spite of his dark skin.
(b) With his friends, because they understand him.
(c) At home, because they love him no matter what he does.
(d) At school, because they value his intelligence, not his complexion.

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

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

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

12. Does Rodriguez believe that his mother knows about his book?
(a) Yes, but she will not admit it.
(b) No, but he is afraid she will find his manuscript and read it.
(c) Yes.
(d) No.

13. Where does Rodriguez go for his fellowship?
(a) London.
(b) Mexico City.
(c) Paris.
(d) Rome.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rodriguez think skin color says about financial status?

2. Where did Rodriguez teach in the 1960s and 1970s?

3. What does Rodriguez learn about complexion from his family?

4. Based on her behavior, who does Rodriguez's mother consider part of the "gringos"?

5. What does Rodriguez have to do if he is going to write this book?

(see the answer keys)

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