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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. When Father Juilliard first sees Gardo for the first time, what does he think that Gardo has enough poise and grace to be?

2. What does Raphael say is the reason that he and the other dumpsite boys do not wear shoes?

3. For how many years has Gabriel Olondriz been in prison?

4. In what type of structures do most of Raphael's neighbors live?

5. What is the name of the dumpsite in which Raphael and the other dumpsite boys scavenge?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a "special" (18) and how does the idea of a "special" widen the scope of the reader's understanding of Trash's setting?

2. At what point does Raphael realize that the contents of the bag must be hugely important to the police?

3. Describe Raphael's house in Behala.

4. When Raphael is finally released from the police station, why does he laugh as he walks home?

5. When Raphael says that he and Gardo might as well be brothers, what evidence does he give to support this conclusion?

6. What is the main point of Grace's piece of narration from the story?

7. Though the police beat Raphael severely, leaving him bruised and battered, what actions do they threaten him with that never actually come to pass?

8. What reasons does Gardo give for wanting to be patient and putting off their visit to the train station to check out what is inside the locker?

9. What does Grace say about where she imagines Pia Dante is now?

10. What does Father Juilliard say about his imminent departure from his position running the Pascal Aguila Mission School?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the use of multiple points of view to tell the story of Trash helps the author get across his intended themes and messages. Include concrete details and examples from the text in order to support your points.

Essay Topic 2

Determine the author's message regarding the power of choice within the novel Trash. Support your claim with quotes from the narrative. Be sure to use a variety of characters and situations to back up your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the boys' decision to put part of the six million dollars into backpacks in order to throw them randomly into the dump for others to find. Why do they make that decision and how do you know? Is their action just? Does it rectify the wrongs visited upon the people by Senator Zapanta? Back up your points with quotes from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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