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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. Who points at objects as the children sing "Pollito, chicken; gallina, hen; etc?"

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

3. How does Esmeralda burn her fingers?

4. What does Mami pour onto Papi's clothes when she throws them onto the porch?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the house Esmeralda's family moves to in "Someone is Coming to Take Your Lap".

4. What is a jamona?

5. Describe the house Esmeralda's family moves into at the beginning of Chapter 1: Jibara.

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

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

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

9. How does Abuela treat Esmeralda's injury?

10. What is the purpose of the meeting the women and children attend in "The American Invasion of Macun"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Santiago's treatment of her bilingual experience throughout the memoir. Discuss, for example, the way she transcribes her Puerto Rican accent in dialogue, the way she handles Spanish words in the text, and the glossary of Puerto Rican and Spanish words in the back of the book. What issues arise surrounding the treatment of English, Spanish, and "Spanglish" in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the way sexuality is treated throughout Esmeralda's life. How is she educated about sex and sexuality? How do events in her life teach her about sexuality? Consider various points in the memoir, including but not limited to the sexual relationship between Mami and Papi, the interaction between Tato and Esmeralda, the interaction between Esmeralda and Don Luis.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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