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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. How did the guards attempt to clean after giving the toothbrushes?

2. On the afternoon of April 13, what does Alicia see in the hallway on her way to the bathroom?

3. What does Chamame claim he allowed Graciela to do?

4. Though Chiche went to the university, what has he become?

5. One day while calling for "Senor," what unexpected sound does Alicia hear next to her bed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Alicia and her husband placed side by side?

2. Why is the guards' choice of Chinese water torture ridiculous?

3. What happened to the son Graciela bore at the Little School?

4. What does the denim jacket mean to Alicia?

5. Why was Alicia suspicious of a newspaper report that surfaced claiming two couples were killed in a confrontation with the military in their area?

6. What happens to Alicia when the raindrop falls on her forehead?

7. What does Vaca do just before he brings the prisoners the toothbrushes?

8. While interrogating Alicia's husband, what do the guards think about the stream poem?

9. What happened to Alicia the first time she called for a "Senor"?

10. How can Alicia guess Vasca's mood each day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the denim jacket.

1) Where does the jacket come from?

2) Why is Alicia both excited and horrified by the jacket?

3) What does the jacket symbolize?

4) Why does Alicia feel less pain when beaten with the jacket on?

Essay Topic 2

Alicia mentions that the government began to release people after getting pressure internationally. Do you think without such pressure the atrocities would have continued? Why or why not? As members of the world community, how responsible are we to aid in such situations? Can you think of any other humanitarian situation recently where the international community became involved? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the chapters written form Alicia's perspective and the chapter written from Graciela's perspective. How are they similar? How do they differ? Be sure to examine:

1) Syntax.

2) Rhythm.

3) Content.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 564 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample