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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. Where does Kino put his knife before he goes to kill the trackers?

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

3. What does Juan Tomas do when he sees Kino and Juana on the run?

4. Why does Kino hesitate to attack the watcher in Chapter 6?

5. Who does Kino find in Chapter 5 to help save him and Juana?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

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

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

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

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

6. Where does Kino want to go after he leaves Juan Tomas's house in Chapter 5?

7. What is evil beyond thinking to Kino?

8. What happened before when the pearl buyers got together and tried to have a pearl representative take their goods to the capital?

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

10. After the attack in the dark in Chapter 5, Kino believes the pearl is gone, but who finds it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Initially in the novel, Kino finds his sense of security and hope in his family, his hut, and his canoe. How is his sense of security and comfort redefined after he finds the pearl?

1.) How does the pearl change Kino's dreams for his family?

2.) How does the pearl change his relationship with his family, especially with Juana who was previously a huge source of comfort to him?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Water is an important backdrop element in the novel. Describe the different ways that Kino and his family survive with water.

1.) How does the beach impact Kino's life?

2.) Describe the waterbed that Kino finds at the mountaintop. Why is this setting appropriate for the events that follow? Explain thoroughly.

(see the answer keys)

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