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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Paz, why did the Revolution become a compromise?

2. In Asia and Africa, what two seemingly-contradictory ideologies are being used?

3. Who was Emiliano Zapata?

4. What economic goal did the Revolution have?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does unemployment on the farms affect the cities? How does it slow all of Mexico's development?

2. What does Paz say about the national differences among Central and South American nations? How does that tie into their relationship with Spain?

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

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

5. What happened when Spanish America separated itself from Spain? Given what Paz has stated throughout the book about that moment in history, draw your own conclusions about why that happened.

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

7. How does Paz explain the suicides of the Aztec people? Is it a reasonable explanation?

8. What did Article 3 of the new Constitution mandate? What troubles did that Article cause?

9. Who was Sor Juana? Why was she an unusual person both in South America and in old Spain?

10. Despite Mexico's advancements, where does she still stand on the world spectrum? How can she change her placement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When does a Mexican come into conflict with his fellow man, especially another Mexican? What are the facets of the clash? How is it resolved?

Essay Topic 2

What connections exist between love and solitude? What dangers exist within them? How does the Mexican break through the bonds of both? Clearly address and explain Paz's arguments, especially toward the end of the book.

Essay Topic 3

Does Paz's writing style mirror the subject? When is he vociferous? When does it feel that he is holding something back?

(see the answer keys)

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