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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. What is the value of Sor Juana's poem, "First Dream"?
(a) A philosophical look at the depth of reality.
(b) A philosophical look at Catholicism.
(c) A penetrating analysis of the effects of European influence.
(d) A comprehensive history of the Indians before Cortez.

2. What was the purpose of the publishing house Fondo de Cultura Economica?
(a) To print texts about economics for South Americans.
(b) To act as a façade for Revolutionary pamphlets.
(c) To print texts about Mexican life and culture.
(d) To print books as cheaply as possible.

3. How did the Revolution relate to reality?
(a) It brought about a new idea of reality.
(b) It was a sheer explosion of reality.
(c) It subtly altered the past idea of reality.
(d) It denied reality.

4. In Paz's estimation, why do the common people follow their revolutionary leaders?
(a) They are intimidated by the leaders.
(b) They identify with the men.
(c) They believe in the revolution, regardless of who leads it.
(d) They have no desire to upset the progress of the Revolution.

5. Which of the following contributed to making colonialism alive and relevant?
(a) Native acceptance.
(b) Violence.
(c) Imperial takeover.
(d) Catholicism.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the Spaniards find when they arrived in South America?

2. What event precipitated Spain's complete loss of power?

3. According to Paz, who is most fascinated by death?

4. During the Revolution, whom did the intelligentsia make the focal point of its activities?

5. What is Paz's solution for the lack of capital?

Short Essay Questions

1. Pulling from the ideas of Jose Gaos, Paz, speaks of the physical duality in Mexico. What does that mean? What significance does that idea have?

2. What is the role of the Mexican intelligentsia within society? How does it differ from the function of the intelligentsia within the United States and Europe; and which one is a better role?

3. What does Paz think of the Soviet Union? How does it compare to Mexico?

4. Why could Mexico not have progressed as far as she has today if she were working within capitalism?

5. Why was the Aztec nation able to unify so many diverse tribes? How were they quite skilled with that type of action?

6. What is Paz's definition of "community"? How is that definition knowingly idealistic?

7. When did Independence begin in Mexico? How was it similar to or different from the Conquest?

8. How was the Revolution similar to a fiesta? Because of any existing similarity, why do the people cling to that time in history? Can that be considered healthy?

9. What role did Jose Vasconcelos play in modern education? From Paz's descriptions, what is his opinion of Vasconcelos?

10. Throughout his career, what did Jorge Cuesta argue? What are the benefits and downfalls of his argument?

(see the answer keys)

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