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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. The General proclaimed Benedicion Alvarado which of the following?

2. Where does the General read of a death identical to one he dreamed about?

3. What does the General think is the underlying cause of rebellion?

4. Who lost an arm defusing a bomb intended for the General?

5. Who sends the telegram which is kept from the General's sights?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Manuela Sanchez respond to the appearance of the comet?

2. Describe the General's relationship with his mother

3. When the hurricane has passed, what does the General do to bolster rebuilding efforts?

4. How is the lottery system rigged?

5. Why does the General relocate his mother to a mansion in the suburbs?

6. How does Patricio Aragones become the General's double?

7. What is accomplished at the meeting between the Minister of Health, the Minister of Defense, Manuela Sanchez, and the General?

8. Who were the Federalists?

9. Which group is the exception to the General's rebuilding policy?

10. Why are the wild parrots exterminated by the Secret police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rapes and coerced sex occur throughout the novel. How does Garcia Marquez treat sexual assault? How does it affect the novel's portrayal of women? Of the General? How does the sinner/saint dynamic play out in this novel, considering the frequent rapes? Support your argument with evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the ending of the novel. Who concludes the novel? Why is it significant that the narrative ends with this voice? Why does the final page end with dates? What effect does this ending have on the novel as a whole? Consider the structure, motifs, and narrative structure in your answer. Support your argument using evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Death is a consistent motif throughout the entire novel. Main characters die gruesome deaths and the General's death is described in vivid detail throughout the novel. How does death, especially the General's repeated deaths, play into the novel as a whole? Consider the repetition of the moments of death as well as the death imagery which pervades the novel. Be sure to focus your critique on specific evidence from the novel.

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This section contains 854 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample