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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. How does Ibarra devote himself?

2. What does Norma realize after a flirtation with a young poet?

3. What does Gervasio remember about his companions?

4. Who is Ixca Cienfuegos?

5. In what does Robles' general give him lessons?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the climax of Robles' military service?

2. What does Robles learn from being in the military?

3. Where does Beto end up on his night out with his friends?

4. What do Natasha and Rodrigo discuss?

5. Of what does Mercedes grow daily aware? To what does this lead?

6. How does Rodrigo spend his time as a young student?

7. What does the quick portrait of Gladys Garcia show?

8. What do Bobo's guests do after the party?

9. How is the mother-son bond broken between Rosenda and Rodrigo?

10. How do both Ixca and Rodrigo feel about Norma?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rodrigo represents what the narrator presents as a typical Mexican conundrum.

Part 1) What is this conundrum?

Part 2) What does Rodrigo symbolize?

Part 3) How is this related to Question 2?

Essay Topic 2

Gervasio Pola's death is a key symbol in this story.

Part 1) Describe Gervasio Pola and the events surrounding his death.

Part 2) How does his death affect the other characters?

Part 3) How is his death symbolic? What does it symbolize?

Essay Topic 3

When Rodrigo Pola asks Ixca about his life, he becomes very agitated.

Part 1) What does Ixca do in his agitated state?

Part 2) Why is he agitated?

Part 3) How does the novel end? Is it an effective ending? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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