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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. On which group of people were Paz's thoughts focused?
(a) The Mexican nation as a whole.
(b) Those who are focused on making Mexico a part of the world.
(c) Those who are conscious of themselves as Mexicans.
(d) Those who are seeking a better philosophy as Mexicans.

2. As explained in Chapter One, who are the pachucos?
(a) Old men who keep the memory of Mexico alive in their grandchildren who were born in the United States.
(b) Young men who leave Mexico for the United States hoping for a better life.
(c) Old men who no longer have a connection to their native land.
(d) Rebellious youths who are not assimilated into North American culture.

3. According to Paz, what is the Mexican's relationship with his fellow man?
(a) He ignores him.
(b) He changes him to Nobody.
(c) He respects him only if they are the same social class.
(d) He respects him only if he is revered.

4. According to Paz, what is death in modern thought?
(a) The predictable end to a natural progression.
(b) The avoidable end to a wasted life.
(c) The putting to rest of all sorrow.
(d) The end of all unworthy men.

5. What does Paz deem to be the first and most serious change that a man endures when he becomes a worker?
(a) He stops earning what he is worth.
(b) He loses his individuality.
(c) He loses his sense of the Divine.
(d) He loses communion with his fellow man.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did the sense of Mexicanism "float" in the air of Los Angeles?

2. According to Paz, how does death end when a civilization denies it?

3. Why are woman considered inferior people?

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

5. What is the difference between the Mexican killer and the modern one?

Short Essay Questions

1. How important are fiestas in Mexican culture? What relationship exists between the fiesta and the individual?

2. According to Alarcon, why does the liar lie to himself? Given what you know of the Mexican mindset, does that make sense?

3. What is the origin of the pachuco? How does that characterization prepare the reader for the rest of the book?

4. What is the character of the Mexican's solitude? How does it differ from the solitude of the North American?

5. How do Mexicans view their bodies? How does their view contribute to their wish for privacy?

6. What happens during the fiesta? What is the emotional result?

7. How does Paz explain the Mexican woman's role in society? How does that strip her of her personality?

8. What mutual problem do both the Mexican and the North American face? What is the solution to that problem?

9. Who is the Virgin of Guadalupe? How is she an important part of Mexican identity?

10. What is left of the colonial world? Are those remnants the best or the worst parts that could be left behind?

(see the answer keys)

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