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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 Dona Maria say Hernando does for a living?

2. Why does Emi tease Gabriel in Chapter 20 as they eat?

3. In Chapter 21, why do people recognize Archangel's costume?

4. In Chapter 6, why does Gabriel remind himself that Emi is a kind person?

5. Why is the television on as Emi and Gabriel eat in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 16, what raises Buzzworm's suspicion about the deaths of his friends?

2. What does Bobby think about his disagreements with Rafaela before she left for Mexico?

3. Why does Rafaela steal from Dona Maria in Chapter 18?

4. In Chapter 7, why does the crowd of people distrust Arcangel?

5. In Chapter 5, how is Manzanar Mukakami introduced?

6. What does Gabriel say he will do if he wins the Pulitzer Prize?

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

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

9. Why is Gabriel finally able to interview Manzanar?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Rafaela to Emi. How do these characters define women and their role in society in this novel? How do their feelings toward work affect this definition? How do their attitudes about the homeless and crime affect this definition? Consider the reactions of other characters to these women as a way to gauge approval, or disapproval, of the role of women.

Essay Topic 2

Complete a character analysis on Arcangel. How is he described? What role does he play in the novel? How do his magical qualities affect this novel? How does Arcangel's character influence the major themes of this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the use of creating a novel out of many smaller stories that are interconnected briefly through the relationships between the characters. Is this useful? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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