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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 amazes Rodriguez about Arcangel when they work together in Chapter 23?

2. What does the name "Corazon" translate to?

3. Why is Gabriel unable to track the smuggled oranges?

4. Why does Gabriel send faxes to the paper in Chapter 43?

5. What does Rafaela do when the man in the black Jaguar attacks her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Rafaela calls Gabriel after mailing him the cooler from Dona Maria's?

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

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

4. What does Bobby think is strange as he drives north with Xiayue into Los Angeles?

5. Why is Rafaela nervous during her bus ride with Sol and Arcangel?

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

7. Why is Buzzworm concerned about the herion injected in oranges when he hears about it in Chapter 22?

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

9. How does Gabriel feel about the use of technology in his news reporting?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the extended orange metaphor throughout the development of "Tropic of Orange". Consider the descriptions of the orange in relation to the scenes where it is features. How does the orange's physical movement serve as an extended metaphor?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Buzzworm to official social workers or hired news crews. How does each group feel about their jobs/roles? How do they fulfill roles? What does having Buzzworm fill this position reveal about the official workers?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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