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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Delaney do when he sees Candidó walking on the side of the road?

2. Why does Kyra pull off the side of the road?

3. Who is Todd Sweet?

4. What is Candidó given by two English-speaking men?

5. Which characters are carried away by the water down the hillside?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of Boyle's work, "The Tortilla Curtain," does not obviously communicate the theme of his book. In your opinion, why does Boyle choose this particular title for his work? What does this title signify? What does it tell readers about the story?

Essay Topic 2

Boyle's book revolves around ethical and moral issues as well as questions regarding ethical boundaries. What ethical boundaries are breached or broken in this story? Does this happen because of necessity or simple ignorance? Identify one ethical boundary and defend the character's reasoning for breaking it.

Essay Topic 3

Identify the climax of this story and the series of events leading up to the climax. How do the characters respond to the climax? What does Boyle include in his story to insure that the climax will be as powerful and meaningful as possible?

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This section contains 296 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample