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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How are the worlds of terrorism and mass production similar to each other? (Chapter Four).
(a) However subtle, they use persecution.
(b) They are worlds of things.
(c) Their primary catalyst is guilt.
(d) They focus on the individuality of man.

2. How does the pachuco present himself to the people around him?
(a) As a solitary, challenging figure.
(b) As a man searching for a home.
(c) As one of the group.
(d) As a lost man.

3. Aside from being an excess, what does the fiesta revolt against?
(a) Form.
(b) Sadness.
(c) Death.
(d) Life.

4. According to Paz, why does the liar tell lies to himself?
(a) He is afraid of finding truth in other people.
(b) He is afraid of the world.
(c) He is afraid of himself.
(d) He does not know the truth.

5. Why did Catholicism drastically change the Aztec view of life?
(a) It placed a merciful God in charge.
(b) It saw life linearly rather than cyclically.
(c) It emphasized man's humanity and personhood.
(d) It placed man's salvation outside himself.

6. From what does a fiesta free the Mexican, in Paz's understanding?
(a) The sense of unfulfilled desires.
(b) The drudgery of common living.
(c) The horror of human thought.
(d) The explosive desires he carries in his heart.

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

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

9. What makes the foreigner skeptical about Mexicans (Chapter Four)?
(a) Their lavish festivals.
(b) Their poor economy.
(c) Their unforeseen violence and cult of death.
(d) Their indiscriminate money spending for fiestas.

10. What is the Mexican concept of work?
(a) A mindless action performed quickly.
(b) An important action performed extremely well.
(c) A personal action handled slowly and carefully.
(d) An impersonal action executed carefully.

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

12. Why does a Mexican blend into his surroundings and become solely Appearance?
(a) He loves appearance.
(b) He fears human interaction.
(c) He wants to end his individuality.
(d) He fears appearances.

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

14. How did Paz consider his philosophical questions?
(a) As meaningful only if they addressed the question of Mexican identity.
(b) As the only means to find answers.
(c) As an excuse for not facing reality.
(d) As a waste of time.

15. What is Paz's opinion about the physical features distinguishing Mexicans from North Americans?
(a) They are more important than commonly believed.
(b) They are not as important as commonly believed.
(c) People do not understand their significance.
(d) People are too distracted by them.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the modern novelist rarely choose the worker as his protagonist?

2. What is the French sociologists' interpretation of the fiesta?

3. When does intimacy sprout among Mexicans?

4. In Paz's view, why does the Spaniard still use and enjoy blasphemy?

5. As Paz uderstands it, what is the Mexican's relation to death?

(see the answer keys)

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