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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 old does Emi say she was when Manzanar disappeared from her life?

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

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

4. Why does Arcangel end up moving the bus he was riding on in Chapter 33?

5. In Chapter 30, what does Arcangel give Rafaela to give to Sol?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. How does Arcangel bond with Rodriguez in Chapter 23?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

What does "Tropic of Orange" reveal about relations between the United States and Mexico? Research the history of this relationship and compare it to the depiction of the relationship in this novel. Consider how the citizens interact as well as the official governments.

Essay Topic 3

What is the commentary the author provides on multi-culturalism in "Tropic of Orange"? How do the characters with multi-cultural backgrounds influence this commentary? What does the movement between Mexico and the United States reveal about multi-cultural societies?

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