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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. Why can't Papi bring Margie to visit?

2. How many eggs does the hen in the yard lay?

3. To what does the narrator compare her family's first house?

4. Why is Mami afraid of the dirt floor in the new house?

5. Where does Tata live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Ramona and Pablo fight at the beginning of "Fighting Naked"?

2. How does Esmeralda react to the news that her father has a child with another woman?

3. How does Esmeralda react to her father's tears in "Fighting Naked"?

4. Describe Rita's attire in "Someone is Coming to Take Your Lap".

5. According to Esmeralda, what is the function of nicknames in Puerto Rican culture?

6. How does Esmeralda react when she learns how sausages are made?

7. List the characteristics children use to label Esmeralda a jibara.

8. What does Esmeralda's family lose in the storm?

9. How does Esmeralda injure her hand at Abuela's house?

10. What does the family do when the heavy rains come in "Someone is Coming to Take Your Lap"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Santiago's discussion of the increasing U.S. influence. How does Santiago address the growing U.S. presence in the lives of Puerto Ricans? How does her perspective compare to Papi's perception of the U.S. American "imperialists"? Consider events such as the hygiene and nutrition meeting in forming your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Santiago's treatment of class throughout the book. What role does class play in Puerto Rican culture? In U.S. culture? How does the perception of class differ from place to place? How is Esmeralda's life affected by notions of class?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Santiago's experience of religion as a child. How does she convey this experience? What does Santiago's experience with religion say about the status of the Church in Puerto Rico? In what ways is Santiago's experience of religion typical or atypical? How does it compare to your preconceived notions of this culture?

(see the answer keys)

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