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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 time do Esmeralda's classes begin in "Mami Gets a Job"?

2. What kind of music does Papi hum while he works?

3. Which amenity does Esmeralda's family share with another family?

4. What does Esmeralda call New York when she first hears that Tata has moved there?

5. Who is the governor of Puerto Rico during "The Invasion of Macun"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which feature does Abuela say Esmeralda shares with her father, and what does this feature supposedly indicate?

2. What is a jamona?

3. Why does Esmeralda have to take the children to Dona Ana's house at the beginning of "Mami Gets a Job"?

4. Explain the concept of dignidad.

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

6. When Mami comes to get Esmeralda, how does Esmeralda feel about being left at Abuela's by Papi?

7. Describe the song at the opening of "The American Invasion of Macun".

8. How does Abuela treat Esmeralda's injury?

9. Why does Papi cry in "Fighting Naked"?

10. What is a jibara? Why does Esmeralda think she might be one?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the memoir, Esmeralda's notions of body change depending on her age and the culture in which she is participating. Trace the evolution of Esmeralda's understanding of the body and body image. How do changes in Mami's appearance influence her understanding of body image? How do interactions with boys and men shape her perception of her own body? How do interactions with other girls influence her feelings about her body? What is the strongest influence on Esmeralda's notions of her body?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Santiago's presentation of family in the memoir. How does she treat her own family in writing this book? Does the family provide a healthy living environment? Is her family a traditional Puerto Rican family? If not traditional, is it in any way typical of a particular socio-economic, regional, or cultural group within the nation?

Essay Topic 3

How does Santiago address issues of Puerto Rican identity in this memoir about her childhood and immigration experience? To Santiago, what does it mean to be Puerto Rican? What does it mean to be a Puerto Rican girl living in the United States? How are these two identities different? How are they similar? Support your response with evidence from the text.

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