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

2. How many mango trees does the family lose in "Mami Gets a Job"?

3. What is sancocho?

4. How does Esmeralda define politics in "The American Invasion of Macun"?

5. What large object does Papi ask Esmeralda to bring him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Esmeralda react when Mami dresses up to go to the factory in Toa Baja?

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

3. How does Abuela treat Esmeralda's injury?

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

5. Explain the concept of dignidad.

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

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

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

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

10. Explain how Esmeralda feels about the treatment of jibaros.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the role of education in Esmeralda's life. Consider her commentary on each of her school experiences. What is her view of education? How has education affected her? What commentary does Esmeralda provide regarding education in Puerto Rico? About education in the U.S.? Be sure to address the conversation the adult Esmeralda has with her former teacher in the "Epilogue" to the book.

Essay Topic 3

The coming of age story, often referred to as a bildungsroman, is a subset of the literary tradition in which the author describes the trials and tribulations of coming into adulthood. Research the form of the bildungsroman, then discuss Santiago's memoir with regard to this form. How does it compare? In what ways does it differ? Why does Santiago choose to develop her memoir in this way?

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