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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. How much does Bobby pay the traffickers after negotiating with them?

2. What happens after Emi learns she must film her news in order to accommodate returning commercial breaks?

3. In Chapter 32, how does Gabriel receive a list of all the people in Mazatlan who have gone missing?

4. How old does Arcangel say he is to the United States Customs officials?

5. When Manzanar hears the gun shots in Chapter 42, who does he assume fired a gun?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Arcangel tries to cross the United States border in Chapter 33?

2. What does the situation on the freeway remind Manzanar of in Chapter 28?

3. What prediction does Manzanar make in Chapter 35 about the Los Angeles sporting events?

4. What does Emi confess to Buzzworm when she is on top of the news van?

5. In Chapter 27, what does Gabriel ask of Emi while he is away in Mexico?

6. What happens when Arcangel gives up moving the bus in Chapter 36?

7. How does Rafaela protect herself from the man in the black Jaguar?

8. What happens after the gun is fired in Chapter 42?

9. In Chapter 39, how does Rafaela help Gabriel try to find Sol?

10. What happens when Gabriel calls Emi in Chapter 29?

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

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

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?

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