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 woman is Danny interested in?

2. What does Danny ask Pilon?

3. What do the men try to learn from Pirate?

4. How does Pilon choose a spot to dig for treasure?

5. What do Pilon and Pablo wish it would rain from the sky?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the paisanos learn is in the Pirates' canvas bag and what is done with the bag at the house?

2. How does the author use foreshadowing when Pilon and Pablo are talking about deceased friends?

3. How do the paisanos try to make peace with Danny?

4. Describe how Pilon and Joe dig for their treasure and what do they find?

5. Who does Danny invite to live with him in his house?

6. What does Pilon explain about keeping the treasures one finds in a St. Andrew's Eve dig?

7. What happens to Jesus Maria and what inspiration does Pilon have for the pink bra?

8. Where does Pilon actually move and who does he invite to move in with him?

9. Which woman is Danny interested in and what is the attraction?

10. What is the condition of Danny's house and how much rent is it agreed that Pilon will pay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe Tortilla Flat. Now, describe Monterey, using only your recall of Steinbeck's descriptions. How do you visualize the California coast now that you have read Steinbeck's TORTILLA FLAT.

Essay Topic 2

The paisanos are a band of homeless men who live together in Danny's house. Why do Danny and the boys become like a family after awhile? How do they exhibit behaviors inherent in families? What lessons is Steinbeck trying to teach about the various ways that families can be created, outside of the obvious biological combinations?

Essay Topic 3

Although the residents of Tortilla Flat live on the fringe of acceptable society, they take care of each other. What is the bond between the residents of Tortilla Flat that makes them want to help each other even when others won't? Is there a common denominator among the Tortilla Flat residents that they recognize themselves in each other? Explain some situations in the book where the Tortilla Flat residents exhibit humanity toward one another.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 995 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample