View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 12, how does Bobby describe his disagreements with Rafaela?

2. How do other homeless men feel about Manzanar Mukakami?

3. Why does Bobby meet with traffickers in Chapter 15?

4. Who sees the orange roll down the street in Chapter 11?

5. In Chapter 1, what does Rafaela describe about Gabriel's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 13, what is Buzzworm's plan for improving Los Angeles neighborhoods?

2. In Chapter 1, how is Rafaela's life in Mexico described?

3. Why does Gabriel spend time near Mazatlan, Mexico in Chapter 1?

4. Why is Gabriel finally able to interview Manzanar?

5. After leaving the restaurant in Chapter 21, what new part of his identity does Arcangel reveal?

6. How does Buzzworm describe the work he does?

7. How does Gabriel feel while going out to eat with Emi in Chapter 20?

8. How does the accident in Chapter 8 affect the characters of this novel?

9. How do the characters react to the appearance of crabs in Chapter 10?

10. How does Bobby feel about the letter he receives in Chapter 12 about his cousin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the symbolism of one of the following: the trees, the nearly invisible line, the cooler, the Hollywood sign. What does the physical item represent about the characters in this novel? What does the physical item reveal about the major themes?

Essay Topic 2

What is the commentary the author provides on multi-culturalism in "Tropic of Orange"? How do the characters with multi-cultural backgrounds influence this commentary? What does the movement between Mexico and the United States reveal about multi-cultural societies?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of including historical explanations throughout this novel? When does the author tend to include these? How do they complicate, or simplify, a reader's understanding of the scene? How are the historical explanations symbolic in nature? How are they necessary background building? Consider the context of each historical explanation as well.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 838 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample