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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 time of day do the paisanos usually get up?

2. Which of the paisanos has a particularly moving experience in church?

3. Cornelia Ruiz loves only love and ______________.

4. What do Teresina's children eat for every meal?

5. Who leads the paisanos in a minor crime wave in order to get food for Teresina's children?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Petey Ravanno and what is his relationship with Gracie?

2. Describe the Pirate's visit to Sunday mass.

3. How is the story of the corporal both pathetic and noble?

4. How can Jesus Maria be best characterized?

5. What does Pirate do with his dogs after he is moved by the stories of St. Francis in church?

6. What is the Pirate's daily ritual with his quarter and the canvas bag?

7. What are the sleeping arrangements at Danny's house with all the paisanos at home?

8. Who is Senora Teresina Cortez and what puzzles her most in her life?

9. How does Big Joe fall in love with Tia Ignacia?

10. Who is Gracie Montez?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tortilla Flat is populated with social outcasts and homeless people. What would become of these same people today? Re-write the characterizations and settings for the main characters. Explain the reasons for your changes.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Torrelli. How does Lee conduct his business and his life? Why is he such an important figure in Tortilla Flat? What does he represent to the other characters in the story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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