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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. What is the discussion topic on the debate organized by Saavedra?

2. What does Julian say he will be in his life?

3. What did Julian deliver to the presidential palace when he visited with Saavedra?

4. What does Senor Fremin write to ask a colleague?

5. What happens when Sol stands before the saint's shrine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Julian's reaction when he first sees Sol at the top of the stairs during her coming-of-age party?

2. After Lucia buys her trousseau, why does she worry about her impending marriage to Julian?

3. Is Julian happy to see Sol again when he goes to play chess with Don Manuel?

4. What role does Xenufla play in the prologue?

5. Why does Francisco Tresban, the minister of fine arts, ask Julian to write a play?

6. Describe Sol's conflicting emotions as she says goodbye to Julian before he leaves for Mexico City.

7. How does Lucia react to the news that Julian has become a university professor?

8. Describe Julian's triumphant return to Cuba.

9. Does religion play an important role in this time period?

10. What is Lucia's state of mind at the beginning of Chapter 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does music play in this novel? When does music signify a great change is about to occur? Discuss two scenes in which music accompanies a significant moment in Julian's life.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Don Manuel. What role does he play in Julian's life? Do you think he uses manipulation to influence Julian? How so?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what the sun symbolizes in this novel. What is the significance of Sol's name as it relates to the sun? Describe two scenes in which the sun acts as an important symbol and analyze its influence on a character(s).

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