View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What irony does Mayor point out about his parents' immigration to the U.S.?

2. Why did Rafael's father relocate his family when Rafael was five?

3. Who is Rafael's eldest son?

4. In what country was Rafael Toro born?

5. Where was Quisqueya Solis born?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Celia help Alma and the Riveras to acclimate to their new life?

2. What are Mayor's circumstances in the opening of the novel?

3. How and why does Celia's relationship with Quisqueya change?

4. How is the relationship between Enrique and Rafael different from Rafael's relationship with Mayor?

5. Where is the novel principally set? How is the setting described?

6. How does Alma compare her life in Mexico to her life in the U.S.?

7. What encounter does Alma witness between Maribel and Garrett? How does she respond?

8. Where is Rafael Toro from? When did he come to the U.S.? Why?

9. Where have the Riveras come from? Why have they come to the U.S.?

10. What sexual abuse did Quisqueya Solis endure? What impact has it had on her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the plot structure of The Book of Unknown Americans. Where in the narrative does the rising action begin? Where is the climax? What tone is demonstrated in the falling action and denouement of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of racial and ethnic prejudice in The Book of Unknown Americans. What are some specific examples of racism or prejudice that are faced by the main characters? How is this theme reflected in setting? What symbolism relates to this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss examples of irony in The Book of Unknown Americans. What are examples of dramatic irony in the novel? What are examples of verbal irony? What are examples of situational irony? What purpose does each example serve?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 855 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample