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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 "Rain," what schoolwork is Neftali working on?

2. In "Pinecone," what does Neftali see that he compares to Bianca's skirt?

3. In "Wind," how many letters has Jose received about Neftali's tardiness?

4. What does Neftali notice about Rodolfo at school in "Forest"?

5. What is the only thing that Neftali keeps after he empties his pockets when he returns to the train in "Tree"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Father say about Neftali's future, and how does Neftali feel about his father's vision for him in "Forest"?

2. What does Neftali think and see when he hears the chucao bird in "Tree"?

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

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

5. In "Rain," what does Neftali realize he should be doing as he looks out the window?

6. What does Jose tell Neftali about his mother, and what questions does Neftali have about his mother?

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

8. In "Tree," why do the workers laugh and Father get embarrassed when Neftali returns to the train after exploring in the forest?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Father is very authoritarian. How does Father run his household? How does he treat his children? Is the relationship he has with his children abusive?

Essay Topic 2

Father calls Neftali absentminded in “Mud.” Why does Father call Neftali absentminded? What does Neftali think it means to be absentminded? Why is Neftali confused when his father calls him absentminded?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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