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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. Why does Gabriel become angry with Emi in Chapter 3?

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

3. In Chapter 2, what does Rafaela want Bobby to do before she returns home?

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

5. Why does Gabriel think Manzanar was not born in a World War II camp?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Arcangel do when he sees a broken down truck holding up traffic in Chapter 11?

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

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

5. In Chapter 14, what does Emi learn about the car accident?

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

7. What happens when Bobby meets with the traffickers in Chapter 15?

8. Why does Rafaela leave Bobby?

9. What happens during Gabriel's date with Emi in Chapter 3?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The official government plays a very small physical role in this novel, yet their presence and purpose is frequently commented on, or alluded to. What is the role of the government in "Tropic of Orange"? How do the actions of the government affect the conflict in this novel and the resolution sought by the characters? What is the effect of having the government alluded to by unrelated characters instead of being a direct character itself?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is the role of the news vs. entertainment in society in "Tropic of Orange"? How does the author turn this into a major theme? What does she suggest about the news?

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