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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. Which one of these things does Kino not put in his canoe in Chapter 2?

2. What animal greets Kino by the fire on the evening he found the pearl?

3. How many beggars are outside the church in Chapter 1?

4. What did Kino eat one day that almost killed him?

5. How long can Kino stay under the water?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Juana not believe the poultice to be a good solution for Coyotito?

2. Why does Kino become afraid after talking about his dreams?

3. How does Juana react when she sees the pearl that Kino has discovered for the first time?

4. How does Juana merge different belief systems in the novel?

5. How would you describe the beliefs of the people of the Gulf?

6. What does the Song of the Family symbolize to Kino?

7. How does word travel so fast that Kino has a great pearl?

8. What do the other canoeists do when they hear Kino's howl of happiness after finding his giant pearl? Why?

9. How long can Kino stay underwater without any problems? How does this serve him?

10. What does Kino dream about in regards to the pearl?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ignorance is an unfortunate partner to racism in this novel. How does ignorance play an important role in how Kino reacts to his environment?

1.) How does Kino react when the priest mentions knowledge from the book? What is his solution?

2.) Why is Juana's seaweed poultice not seen as a valid treatment for Coyotito?

3.) Why does Kino want Coyotito to go to school?

Essay Topic 2

One of Kino's dreams is to own a rifle. After he says this, the villagers react in awe and even Juana is amazed at his bravery. Why is this dream of owning a rifle an ironic wish once the end of the story is over? What does the rifle symbolize to Kino and the villagers and what role does it ultimately represent in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

The doctor represents quack medicine and trickery in the novel. How does the villagers' ignorance allow the doctor to get away with his scams? What is the doctor motivated by? How does this motivation affect Kino and his family?

(see the answer keys)

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