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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 trees outside of Cleofilas’ home are said to rustle “like ladies in stiff petticoats”?

2. Regarding Cleofilas’ feelings for Juan Pedro, the narrator states, “She has to remind herself why she loves him when she changes” what?

3. Who is the laundromat attendant whom Cleofilas asks about the name of Woman Hollering Creek?

4. Describing Seguin, Texas, the narrator states “This town with its silly pride for” what “the size of a baby carriage in front of the city hall”?

5. Cleofilas imagines that she will wear outfits like what television star once she lives in America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What conversation do you imagine takes place between Cleofilas and Graciela at the clinic?

2. How is the first time that Juan Pedro beats Cleofilas described in the narrative? How does Cleofilas react?

3. Why does Cleofilas doubt her ability to return home when she considers it in the story?

4. How is the myth of La Llorona described historically? What character is La Llorona similar to in the telenovelas described in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

5. How does the society presented in the story reinforce the behavior of Juan Pedro?

6. How does Cleofilas compare her hometown to that of Seguin, Texas, during the story?

7. Who is getting married in the opening of “Woman Hollering Creek”? How are the cultural details of the event described?

8. Why does Cleofilas plead with Juan Pedro to take her to the doctor in the story?

9. What arrangements do Graciela and Felice make over the phone in the story? What urgency is illustrated in their plan?

10. Where does the character of Dolores live? How is this character and her home described in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting of Seguin, Texas. What are the history, culture, and geography like in this setting? How populous is Seguin when Cleofilas arrives with Juan Pedro? How is the economy of the region depicted?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the settings of the ice house in Seguin and the church and town center in Cleofilas’ hometown. How are each of these settings representative of a “central meeting place” within each location? How does each setting relate to gender roles?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Felice and her symbolic and metaphorical meaning in “Woman Hollering Creek.” How does Felice stand out as a role model to Cleofilas? In what ways does meeting Felice solidify Cleofilas’ decision to leave her abusive relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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