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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. How does Buzzworm react to Margarita's death?
2. In Chapter 10, what upsets Rodriguez about the eggs?
3. How do other homeless men feel about Manzanar Mukakami?
4. In Chapter 6, what does Gabriel realize is wrong with his house in Mexico?
5. In Chapter 1, what does Rafaela describe about Gabriel's house?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why does Gabriel say things haven't seem right in Chapter 9?
2. How does Buzzworm describe the work he does?
3. After leaving the restaurant in Chapter 21, what new part of his identity does Arcangel reveal?
4. In Chapter 5, how is Manzanar Mukakami introduced?
5. In Chapter 7, why does the crowd of people distrust Arcangel?
6. How does the accident in Chapter 8 affect the characters of this novel?
7. Why does Gabriel spend time near Mazatlan, Mexico in Chapter 1?
8. How does Gabriel choose the trees for his landscaping in Mexico?
9. In Chapter 16, what raises Buzzworm's suspicion about the deaths of his friends?
10. Why does Rafaela steal from Dona Maria in Chapter 18?
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
The homeless population play a central role in this novel, although most remain unknown characters. Consider how the characters in "Tropic of Orange" relate to the homeless. How does this large group work as a single character? What is the commentary this novel provides on the homeless?
Essay Topic 3
What does "Tropic of Orange" reveal about relations between the United States and Mexico? Research the history of this relationship and compare it to the depiction of the relationship in this novel. Consider how the citizens interact as well as the official governments.
This section contains 874 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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