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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. The heroine of “You or No One” is said to have endured “all kinds of hardships of the heart, separation and betrayal,” but she keeps doing what “because that is the most important thing”?

2. What does the Spanish word “pues” translate to in English?

3. What Spanish term from the story refers to a town square?

4. What does the narrator describe Cleofilas buying in the center of the town where she grew up in “that will appear in a day and a half as a pimple on her backside”?

5. Seguin, Texas is located in what county?

Short Essay Questions

1. What symbolic elements in the story represent the borders that alienate Cleofilas?

2. What principle objective of Cleofilas’ is seen in the flashback at the beginning of the story? How does this objective tie into the plot of You or No One?

3. What happens when Cleofilas meets Felice in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

4. How is Cleofilas’ laughter described at the end of the story? What does the laughter symbolize?

5. What about the creek by her house fascinates Cleofilas after her marriage? How does she pursue this matter?

6. What is the turning point for Cleofilas and her perceptions of identity in the story?

7. How does Graciela describe Cleofilas and her condition to Felice? What does she ask Felice to do?

8. What is Cleofilas’ “fatal flaw” in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

9. In what ways does the story “Woman Hollering Creek” reflect the life of author Sandra Cisneros?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Gender roles in “Woman Hollering Creek”

a. Describe the gender roles and expectations of women in the story. How are these roles and expectations symbolized in the narrative? How do they relate to mythology, folklore, and popular culture?

b. Describe and discuss the gender roles and expectations for men in “Woman Hollering Creek.” How do these roles and expectations differ from those of women?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Soledad and Trini in “Woman Hollering Creek.” What are Cleofilas’ thoughts and feelings about these characters? In what ways do they relate to Cleofilas? Why does Soledad consider herself a widow? For how long has her husband been gone?

(see the answer keys)

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