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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the second sister to call the narrator of the Prologue reveal during their phone call?
(a) She is moving back to the Dominican Republic.
(b) She has been awarded a grant.
(c) She is pregnant.
(d) She has cancer.

2. For what purpose is the narrator driving downtown at the start of the Prologue?
(a) To pick up her husband from work.
(b) To pick up groceries.
(c) To return library books.
(d) To take her kids to school.

3. How is Carlos related to the narrator of the Prologue?
(a) He is her husband.
(b) He is her son.
(c) He is her brother.
(d) He is her uncle.

4. Who writes a report about Sarita's position as a young woman positioned between two socioeconomic classes?
(a) Sandi.
(b) Yo.
(c) Lucinda.
(d) Marie.

5. The narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" is revealed late in the chapter to have what first name?
(a) Sarita.
(b) Lucinda.
(c) Yo.
(d) Sandi.

Short Answer Questions

1. With whom does Sarita live when she moves to New York City?

2. For what reason does Yo come to see Sarita at her place of business in Florida?

3. During the time Sarita's mother works for the Garcias before sending for Sarita, how many times is Sarita's mother able to visit her?

4. The narrator of the chapter entitled "The Mother" says that "the hardest thing coming to this country" had actually been what element?

5. Sarita states that the Garcia girls treat her like a mix between a little sister and what type of "project" (57)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss an example of magical realism Alvarez includes within the narrative.

2. What is the significance of the phrase "You are the one who knows" (125) throughout the text?

3. What action does Mami threaten to take against Yo within the Prologue?

4. When the Prologue opens, the narrator is on her way to complete what errand?

5. In what way does the narrator of the Prologue deceive one of her sisters within the narrative?

6. In what way does the theme of marginalization arise within the Prologue?

7. How does the theme of control arise within the Prologue?

8. In what way do Sarita and her mother Primi reach the United States?

9. For what reason does the Prologue's narrator say that she no longer enjoys reading novels?

10. With which of her four daughters does Mami not get along?

(see the answer keys)

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