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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. After Petey gets married, who does his father begin to lust after?

2. Why does the Pirate sometimes lend Bob his dogs?

3. What are Joe and the woman in #104 caught doing in public?

4. What do the paisanos do to Joe after they teach him a lesson?

5. Where does Danny head after selling the items in #79?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How do the paisanos help Teresina when the bean crop fails and she cannot feed her eight children?

4. Why does the Pirate donate money to the church and what is the effect of this gesture on the other paisanos?

5. Describe the sad life of Tall Bob Smoke.

6. What gift does Danny buy for Sweets and how does he begin to feel about her?

7. How can Jesus Maria be best characterized?

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

9. How does Big Joe's inability to stay awake get him into trouble with Tia and the law?

10. What do the paisanos do to Joe after he steals the Pirate's bag of quarters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Steinbeck's use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 2

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 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 1,144 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample