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. Which of these things is described in Chapter 2 as being on the bottom of the sea?

2. What is Kino's first promise spoken out loud when asked about the pearl?

3. What does the doctor say when he hears about Kino's pearl?

4. When does Kino sing the Song of the Undersea?

5. How does the priest treat Kino and his family in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kino react when he sees the scorpion is about to bite Coyotito?

2. When does the Song of Evil first enter Kino's head? What does this song represent?

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

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

5. Why does Kino always have a song in his head?

6. Name some of the townspeople that are described as thinking about what the pearl could do for them when they hear about Kino's news. What are their specific objectives?

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

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

9. How do the villagers’ perceptions of Kino change after his discovery of the pearl?

10. What are the two colors that make up the canoes that line the beach? What do you think these colors represent symbolically?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of powerful forces manipulating the environment is prevalent throughout the novel.

1) What are some examples of ways the author uses symbolism to develop this theme?

2) How is the theme developed through character actions?

3) How does setting relate to the theme of powerful forces manipulating the environment?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

For the villagers, they trust things of the spirit and things of the imagination before they will trust their own eyes. Describe how this overall belief is shown in the villagers' actions, Juana's actions and the way they react to their situation.

1.) What specifically do the villagers believe in, in terms of God, creation, and the afterlife?

2.) In what ways are religions and beliefs integrated into one another?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 769 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample