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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. With what sweet treat does Pilon attempt to be friendly with the Pirate?

3. How many dogs does the Pirate have?

4. Where does Pilon move?

5. What do Pilon and Pablo send the person in #25 to the wharf to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Big Joe Portagee become a tenant in Danny's house?

2. What is the source of the house fire and what lesson do the men learn from it?

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

4. What is Big Joe's experience with Pilon on St. Andrew's Eve?

5. Who is the Pirate and what does Pilon learn about his daily routine?

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

7. What does the town of Tortilla Flat seem to thrive on and how do the paisanos feel about Danny's love interest?

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 does Pilon think he will find the treasure in the St. Andrew's Eve dig?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Pirate. What is his role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating the Pirate's character in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Steinbeck's writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in TORTILLA FLAT.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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This section contains 853 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample