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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 is wrong with the food Esmeralda eats on the plane to New York?

2. When she first arrived in El Mangle, why wouldn't Esmeralda drink water?

3. Which family member dies during "Casi Senorita"?

4. According to Mami, why do morenos dislike Puerto Ricans?

5. What does Dona Andrea give to Mami in "El Mangle"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Esmeralda say that it is impossible to escape the stench when her family lives in El Mangle?

2. Describe the church Mami sends the children to in "Casi Senorita".

3. Discuss the interactions between Esmeralda's family and the taxi driver in "Angels on the Ceiling".

4. What happens when Don Joaquin calls on sinners to cast off evil?

5. How does Esmeralda describe her first experience of snow?

6. Discuss the letter that Esmeralda writes to her father and the family's reaction to it.

7. Explain why Esmeralda laughs at Sra. Leona at the end of "El Mangle".

8. How does Esmeralda describe the stewardesses at the beginning of "Angels on the Ceiling"?

9. How does the vision of romance which Esmeralda receives from soap operas compare with the relationship model she receives from her parents?

10. How does Esmeralda feel as Nicasia leads her through the process of blessing the dead baby?

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

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 3

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.

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