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

2. In Chapter 4, what does Buzzworm say surviving has no room for?

3. What do the people in Chapter 7 think Arcangel is?

4. What is the first job Gabriel held at the news station?

5. Why does Emi leave Gabriel during their lunch in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Gabriel say things haven't seem right in Chapter 9?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What history of Gabriel's work is given in Chapter 6?

10. Why does Rafaela leave Bobby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

How is this novel an example of magical realism? Describe the elements of magical realism and explain how "Tropic of Orange" aligns with this description and how it does not. How does this genre direct the text? How does this genre help the author deliver her commentary on society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample