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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. In Complexion, Chapter 3, what does Rodriguez realize about education?

2. When he is a child, what do people say about Rodriguez's complexion?

3. What new academic field do these minority college students ask for?

4. What happens at the swimming pool to make Rodriguez aware of his skin color?

5. In Mr. Secrets, Chapter 1, what does Rodriguez's mother beg him not to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rodriguez explain psychiatry to his mother? Does she understand? Why or why not? How does that discussion connect to his book and what he is willing to tell her about the book?

2. Why does Rodriguez's mother call him "Mr. Secrets"? In spite of his secretive behavior, what does Rodriguez believe she knows?

3. What does Rodriguez think about the Civil Rights Movement?

4. As a child, what does Rodriguez learn about dark skin?

5. What conversation does Rodriguez have with a colleague about teaching positions? What decision does Rodriguez make as a result of that conversation?

6. How does Rodriguez describe the change in the Catholic Church that happens as he grows up?

7. What kind of social life does Rodriguez have? Does he have lots of friends and girlfriends?

8. What are Rodriguez's parents' ideas about masculine and feminine characteristics? How does that affect Rodriguez?

9. What does Rodriguez learn from working with the construction workers? Give two specific examples.

10. How would Rodriguez change affirmative action? What examples does he offer to support his suggestion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part One: Compare and contrast Rodriguez's childhood view of religion and his adult view of religion.

Part Two: Rodriguez acknowledges that the church itself changed some of its practices as he grew up. What effect did that have on his decision to stay Catholic? Did it encourage him to re-evaluate his religious beliefs and practices?

Essay Topic 2

Rodriguez claims that it is his education that made him successful. That is the reason he is writing this history of his education.

Part One: Find examples that prove his point. How is the person he is today a result of getting a good education?

Part Two: Find examples that disprove his point. What other advantages does he have (for example, where he lives, people he knows, personal characteristics) that could have led him to be successful even without a great education?

Part Three: Decide for yourself -- did Rodriguez's education make him successful? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Part One: What does Rodriguez argue about affirmative action? Explain his argument thoroughly and give specific examples that he uses to support his argument.

Part Two: Do you agree with his arguments? Why or why not? Provide your own examples to support your argument.

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