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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. Why does the watcher shoot his rifle?

2. Where does the old man in the village ride to see Kino on his way to sell the pearl?

3. Which songs are in Kino's head as he sneaks up on the trackers?

4. What does Juana do when she hears Kino coming after her in Chapter 5?

5. What happens to Kino's home in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kino wear his straw hat at a specific angle while trying to sell his pearl?

2. Name some of the theories Juan Tomas gives the neighbors to divert suspicion as to what happened to Kino and his family in Chapter 5.

3. What happens to the gold coin of the pearl buyer when Kino enters the room in Chapter 4?

4. Why do all the divers leave their canoes on the beach the morning after Kino's big pearl find?

5. How do the pearl buyers operate to buy a pearl?

6. What motivation do the pearl buyers have to purchase the great pearl at a low price?

7. What happens to Kino's home while he is being attacked by the dark figure in Chapter 5?

8. What does Juana do when she senses Kino running after her in the dark when she is going to throw the pearl back into the sea?

9. Why does Kino take off his clothes in Chapter 6?

10. What do the neighbors fear will happen to Kino after finding the giant pearl?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The pearl is a powerful symbol to the village. Explain the irony of how the pearls bring great wealth to the Kings of Spain, yet cannot seem to help a meager fisherman named Kino. What does the pearl represent to all men in the novel in terms of wealth?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Race is an important theme throughout the novel. Discuss how race is shown and how this tension causes problems for Kino and his family.

1.) How would a less-biased response from the doctor or his servant at the gate affected the rest of the story? Would the outcome be different if the doctor had treated Coyotito from his scorpion bite initially? Why or why not?

2.) How do the pearl buyers represent the oppression that a biased social structure brings to the community? How do they work against the divers and prevent a fair deal?

3.) How does this racial situation affect Kino's response to the dead man he stabbed?

(see the answer keys)

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