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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 does Rafaela do when she first sees Bobby in Chapter 45?

2. Where does Rafaela go after leaving Gabriel's house in Chapter 24?

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

4. In Chapter 32, what happens when Gabriel visits Mazatlan?

5. What does Rodriguez remind Arcangel of?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Gabriel reveal C. Juarez's real name?

3. What do Buzzworm and Emi do before Emi dies?

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

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

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

9. Why does Rafaela visit Gabriel's house, after leaving Dona Maria's, in Chapter 24?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of technology in this novel. How do the characters use technology? What is the commentary provided about technology's purpose? Its usefulness? In what ways does technology bind the characters and plot lines of this novel as a theme?

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

The official government plays a very small physical role in this novel, yet their presence and purpose is frequently commented on, or alluded to. What is the role of the government in "Tropic of Orange"? How do the actions of the government affect the conflict in this novel and the resolution sought by the characters? What is the effect of having the government alluded to by unrelated characters instead of being a direct character itself?

(see the answer keys)

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