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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 happens when news breaks about cocaine in oranges in Chapter 22?

2. In Chapter 36, why are the people around Arcangel amazed with his orange?

3. What does Rafaela do with the box she takes from Gabriel's in Chapter 24?

4. Why doesn't Gabriel want Emi to open the package from Rafaela?

5. How does Manzanar feel about his first interview with Gabriel?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What is "What's the Buzz?"

10. What happens when Gabriel faxes Bobby the wrestler poster in Chapter 40?

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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