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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. Where does Abuelo sleep?

2. Why can't Papi bring Margie to visit?

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

4. To what does Esmeralda compare Abuela's palms in "Why Women Remain Jamona"?

5. Why doesn't Esmeralda change clothes after church in "Why Women Remain Jamona"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How are the "experts" who speak on nutrition and hygiene received by the Puerto Rican women?

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

6. What is a purgante and why must the children drink them?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Santiago's treatment of childhood and the child's perspective throughout this work. How does she portray her own childhood? How does the child narrator provide a commentary unavailable to an adult narrator? How does Santiago's treatment of childhood compare with mainstream American notions of childhood? What has growing up in jibara culture contributed to her notions of childhood?

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

Discuss Santiago's depiction of Puerto Rican culture in the book. Does she present a single Puerto Rican culture, or perhaps many? How does Santiago treat this/these culture(s)? Does Santiago present a critique or celebration of traditional Puerto Rican culture?

(see the answer keys)

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