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. As Kino is preparing to leave in Chapter 5, Where does Juan tell Kino to avoid?

2. What gives Kino a strong sense of protection during his and his family's running escape in Chapter 6?

3. Which songs are in Kino's head as he and his family are running away in Chapter 6?

4. How does Juana keep Coyotito quiet during the day in Chapter 5?

5. How long is the knife Juan hands to Kino in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Juana try to destroy the pearl after their failed attempt at selling it?

2. How does Coyotito get shot?

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

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

5. What does Kino do when the dark figure attacks him on the path back home in Chapter 5?

6. Where does Kino tell Apolonia that he is not dead?

7. Why do Juana and Kino run in the wagon tracks?

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

9. Describe the clothing of Juana, Coyotito and Kino on the day of the pearl sale. Why are they dressed as they are?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Although they rarely speak, music plays an integral role in the novel. Describe its impact on different dramatic scenes within the novel.

1.) When does Kino hear certain songs and why? What triggers these songs to start in his mind?

2.) How does Juana mix the ancient songs with the modern religion of Catholicism in her mind? Why is this significant?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample