View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the man in the black Jaguar end up being able to capture Rafaela?

2. Why doesn't Gabriel know what he is looking for in Mexico in Chapter 32?

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

4. Who does Gabriel call to learn Corazon Juarez's first name?

5. How does Buzzworm feel when he learns that someone has injected oranges with cocaine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Buzzworm keep telling Emi about the police in Chapter 31?

3. How do Gabriel and Emi's attitudes toward the news differ in Chapters 26 and 27?

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

5. While crossing the border into the United States, what do Xiayue's questions remind Bobby of?

6. How does Arcangel bond with Rodriguez in Chapter 23?

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

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

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

10. In Chapter 45, what happens when Bobby and Rafaela reunite?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the narrative devices used in "Tropic of Orange". Consider the multiple narratives, shifts in voices and shifts in time. What is the impact on this novel's characters and plot development? How does this influence the development of the major themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 783 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample