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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 "Mud," how long does it rain?

2. What job did Jose do for many years?

3. At the beginning of "Pinecone," what is Neftali doing?

4. When Neftali meets his father in the salon in "Pinecone," what is the first thing his father calls him?

5. On the fourth afternoon when Uncle Orlando cannot get to his office, what does Mamadre make for dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Mud," what do Neftali and his family do when they are all restless?

2. In "Mud," what happens when Neftali tries to answer a question during dinner?

3. What conversation do Jose and Rudoflo have about Rudolfo's singing?

4. What does Rodolfo say about Father and his demands in "Mud"?

5. What is Neftali's trip home like in "Tree"?

6. What does Father say to Neftali in "Pinecone"?

7. Who is Uncle Orlando, and why does he come to Neftali's house to work?

8. in "Wind," what instructions does Jose give Rudolfo about walking Neftali to school?

9. What type of friend does Neftali wish would live in the house next door?

10. What distracts Neftali on the way to school in "Wind"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many chapters in the book end with riddles. Why does the author include riddles? How do they relate to the story and help readers consider concepts in chapters?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 3

Stanzas of a poem called I Am Poetry are found at the beginning of the novel and on pages 76, 137, and 238. What does the poem communicate about poetry? What does it reveal about the writing that Neftali does?

(see the answer keys)

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