View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Before the rainstorm, how long had it been since she washed her hands?

2. With what were Braco and Benja injected before they were moved?

3. Where is Graciela giving birth?

4. How do Alicia and her husband communicate when he is brought to her room?

5. What poem does Alicia recite for Vasca?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the name "Patichoti" mean?

2. How does she feel when she is able to wash her hands with the leak?

3. What does Alicia say is the only thing certain in their lives other than bread?

4. What character trait helps Alicia get through many of her trials at the Little School?

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

6. What does water do for Alicia in Beauty Treatment?

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

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

9. What does Death take from the old man because She has an overcrowded carriage?

10. Rosa has seen one of the guards' faces---what is he worried about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Water is used throughout the text. What does water typically symbolize? What does it symbolize for Alicia? How does water play into everyday life at the Little School? Why isn't Alicia bothered by the Chinese water torture? Choose at least three instances in the work involving water. Compare and contract the role of water throughout the work.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Benja's first night. How does Alicia know him? How does Maria Elena know him? What are the guards doing to him? How does Alicia try to help him? How do they others try to help him? What insights do Alicia's attempts at aiding Benja give into her character?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Alicia's poem about the stream.

1) What symbolism or metaphor is present in the poem?

2) Why does Alicia choose to recite the poem when she does?

3) Why do you think the guards are convince the poem is something subversive?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 553 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample