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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 sends a box of clothing from New York?

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

3. What is Esmeralda called when she is surprised by the pencil sharpener?

4. What color is Mami's skin?

5. When did Puerto Rico become a U.S. colony?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is a jamona?

6. How does Abuela treat Esmeralda's injury?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the role of violence in the memoir. How does Santiago portray violence between her parents? Between children? Based on Santiago's memoir, how is violence treated in Puerto Rican culture?

Essay Topic 2

Address the form and structure of the memoir. Analyze Santiago's choices in composing her life story. Consider, for example, the epigraphs that proceed each chapter, the titles of each chapter, and the progression of the story. How does Santiago make artistic choices in telling her story? How do these choices contribute to the overall effect of the work?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the role that the arts play in Esmeralda's life. How does her education at the Performing Arts high school influence her life? Before auditioning for the Performing Arts school, what is Esmeralda's perception of the arts? How does that understanding change as she attends the school?

(see the answer keys)

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