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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 meal do all the children agree on?

2. Which memory causes Esmeralda to cry in "El Mangle"?

3. How is Uncle Chico different from Tata and Don Julio?

4. How does Tata react to the news that Francisco has fallen ill?

5. What illness does Francisco die from?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss the difference in Gladys' and Esmeralda's reactions to the task of peeling potatoes.

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

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

5. What is Esmeralda's first impression of New York as the plane touches down?

6. Discuss the differences between Angie and Gladys.

7. Describe Dona Andrea.

8. How does Mami react to the news that the doctors might need to amputate Raymond's foot one year after the accident?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Santiago's presentation of family in the memoir. How does she treat her own family in writing this book? Does the family provide a healthy living environment? Is her family a traditional Puerto Rican family? If not traditional, is it in any way typical of a particular socio-economic, regional, or cultural group within the nation?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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)

This section contains 894 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample