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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 are the people who disappear without a trace called?

2. What does Leonel tell Forche about the living conditions of most Salvadorans after their visit to the campo?

3. Where had Forche's friend Maya convinced her to travel with her when Forche was 27?

4. How does Forche perceive the behavior of Leonel's young daughters?

5. Who does Leonel ask Forche to write to to help vouch for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the frustrating things about traveling with Leonel that bothers Forche?

2. What is Forche's reaction when Leonel asks her if she is a Catholic?

3. What is Leonel's occupation, at least ostensibly, and what does Forche think about the way he does his work?

4. What does Leonel tell Forche about the way poets are perceived in El Salvador?

5. Why does Leonel take Forche to a wide range of places, including elegant colonias and the shacks of poor campesinos?

6. What did Forche's experiences living in New Mexico when she was 23 teach her?

7. What does Forche remember most about her grandmother Anna?

8. What does Leonel do immediately when he arrives at Forche's house and continue doing for several days?

9. What does Forche think about Leonel's daughters during the time they all stay with her in California?

10. What does Forche realize Leonel enjoys immensely during the time he stays with her in California?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the evolution of Forche's feelings, both professional and personal, about Leonel Gomez from the beginning of the book through to the end. Make sure to include specific references to the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Leonel tell Forche that she may have a hard time convincing other Americans that what she has seen in El Salvador, and specifically, how brutal and violent the atmosphere is? Are Leonel's warnings to Forche borne out in her actual experiences? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What is the nature of Forche's personal history having to do with the Vietnam War, and why does she think when she first meets Leonel Gomez that it is none of his business? (50). Write an essay explaining your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample