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. Who comes up the steps at the beginning of "Pinecone"?

2. In "Tree," what does Neftali want to tell his father about on their way home on the train?

3. What is the name of the boy Rodolfo plays ball with in "Pinecone"?

4. In "Pinecone," what is Neftali reading when his father summons him?

5. What does Neftali pretend to be in "Rain" when he thinks of the ocean?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In "Mud, what happens because it rains so long?

4. In "Forest," what instructions does Rudolfo give Neftali to follow when he goes into the forest with their father?

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

6. In "Pinecone," what does Neftali hear and how does he feel about the sound?

7. In "Pinecone," who is Bianca, and how does an encounter with her go for Neftali?

8. In "Rain," how does Neftali forget himself and see himself when Mamadre reads to him?

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

10. What bird lives in the forest and tells the future?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whenever Neftali interacts with his father, he hopes to see the “nice father.” Does Neftali consider his father to be nice in everyday interactions? When does he hope his father will be nice? Is Father ever nice like Neftali hopes he will be?

Essay Topic 2

The setting or settings in a book are where the action takes place. Does the setting(s) in the book serve as a backdrop to characters or does it almost take on the role of a character? How does the setting evoke feelings or set the tone in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Neftali does not have any friends. What type of friend does Neftali dream of having? How do a toy sheep and a pair of swans become Neftali’s friends and companions? How do they fulfill his need for friendship and companionship?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 980 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample