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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How are the evil words a sign and seal?
(a) They seal the intention of the speaker.
(b) They project the result that they will bring.
(c) They identify fellow Mexicans among strangers.
(d) They pull men out of their solitude.

2. As Paz uderstands it, what is the Mexican's relation to death?
(a) Intimate but empty.
(b) Emotionally remote.
(c) Sacrificial.
(d) Intimate and heartbreaking.

3. In Paz's estimation, woman is a living representation of which of the following?
(a) The strangeness of the world.
(b) Life overpowered by death.
(c) Life.
(d) Man's incomplete nature.

4. According to Paz's argument, what is the source of the North American's irritation with the pachuco?
(a) He sees the pachuco as a threat to North American society.
(b) He sees the pachuco as a mythical figure, and thus dangerous.
(c) He does not know how to relate to the pachuco.
(d) He sees the pachuco as an invader.

5. What is the Spanish view of women in contrast to the Mexican?
(a) Women are wild and lecherous.
(b) Women are idols.
(c) Women are decent and modest.
(d) Women are shaped by the minds of men.

6. How do Mexicans avoid the dangers of romantic relationships, according to Paz?
(a) By exaggerating their feelings.
(b) By stifling their feelings.
(c) By denying the importance of the other.
(d) By not truly loving.

7. How does the philosophy of progress treat death?
(a) It treats death as one more step in life.
(b) It minimizes death.
(c) It disregards death entirely.
(d) It pretends to make death disappear.

8. Why are woman considered inferior people?
(a) They are not as intelligent as men.
(b) They open themselves up in submission.
(c) They are too emotionally attached.
(d) They are not as reticent as men.

9. What does the Mexican value in art, religion, and politics?
(a) Originality.
(b) Equality.
(c) Form.
(d) Purity.

10. Which of the following powers does the saying "I am your father" hold? (Chapter Four, page 80).
(a) The power of the justified and privileged person.
(b) The subtle power of the seemingly weaker person.
(c) The power of the closed person, the aggressor.
(d) The power of the Creator.

11. What familial relationship does Paz equate with solitude?
(a) Having no siblings.
(b) Being an orphan.
(c) Being childless.
(d) Having no male relatives.

12. What model do Mexicans prefer that the woman follow?
(a) A model of strength, praise, and fortitude.
(b) The model of ancient Mexican goddesses.
(c) A general model of decency, secrecy, and long-suffering.
(d) The model of The Virgin Mary - chaste and kind.

13. How does a man become "like the angels" (Chapter Three, page 61)?
(a) By valuing life to its final moment.
(b) By entrusting everything to God.
(c) By running from death to an embracement of life.
(d) By opening fully to death, as well as to life.

14. Paz states that a Mexican utters the words that are considered most evil when which of the following occurs?
(a) When he is extremely angry.
(b) When he wants to get his point across.
(c) When he wants to invoke the evil contained in the words.
(d) When he is not in control of himself.

15. What is the novelty of the pachuco clothing?
(a) Its exaggeration.
(b) Its disregard for current fashion.
(c) Its impracticality.
(d) Its colors.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Paz's understanding of genders, how do Mexican women become like men?

2. Paz says that during critical moments in a nation's development, the people ask themselves a critical question. What is that question?

3. Chapter Three begins with the great effect that fiestas and public celebrations have. What is this effect?

4. What masculine trait enters into the idea of feminine modesty?

5. On which group of people were Paz's thoughts focused?

(see the answer keys)

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