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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. Where is Benny Quinto from?

2. Where was Quisqueya Solis born?

3. Where does Alma's landlord say is the area where the rich white people live?

4. Who is Rafael's eldest son?

5. Who did Mayor's family support in the 2008 Presidential election?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Benny Quinto? Where is he from? What brought him to America?

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

3. How is the theme of migration explored in the novel?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Garrett do to Maribel to lead Mayor to stand up for her by the bus stop?

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

10. What obstacles does the winter bring to the Riveras?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Arturo's death in The Book of Unknown Americans. How does he die? What events led up to his death? What impacts does his death have on Alma, Maribel, Mayor, Rafael, and Celia?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the narrative style employed in The Book of Unknown Americans. How does the narrative style differ from chapter to chapter? What are the benefits of this style of narration? What limitations might it have?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of romantic love in The Book of Unknown Americans. How is this theme illustrated through Alma and Arturo? How is it illustrated through the Toro family? How does the author explore this theme through Mayor and Maribel?

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This section contains 779 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample