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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. What does Danny drink when he learns of the inheritance?

2. Why can Danny not get the water turned on in the house?

3. At whose home to Pilon and Pablo have dinner?

4. How much money does Pilon figure the Pirate must be hoarding?

5. Who is Pilon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Arabella Gross take advantage of Jesus Maria Corcoran?

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

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

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

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

9. How does Jesus Maria Corcoran become the next tenant in the second house?

10. Why do the paisanos follow the Pirate every morning?

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

Overall, the residents of Tortilla Flat become one big family. Describe the elements necessary to comprise a family. Explain some of the ways that the Tortilla Flat family is dysfunctional. Explain some of the ways that the Tortilla Flat family is quite normal.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample