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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. Sarita recalls that the Garcias had treated her like a cross between a "goodwill project" (57) and a what?
(a) A little sister.
(b) A niece.
(c) A pariah.
(d) A baby cousin.

2. The narrator of the chapter entitled "The Mother" states, "Nights, I was up to" how many "sleeping pills to numb myself into a few hours of the skimpiest sleep" (25)?
(a) 4.
(b) 8.
(c) 6.
(d) 2.

3. The narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" states that she had been brought up in what faith?
(a) Catholicism.
(b) Presbyterianism.
(c) Lutheranism.
(d) Santeria.

4. Later in Sarita's life, she finds out that she is the illegitimate daughter of a man with what last name?
(a) de la Torre.
(b) Munoz.
(c) Garcia.
(d) Lopez.

5. What is the first name of Professor Garfield, Yo's mentor?
(a) Martin.
(b) Elijah.
(c) Jordan.
(d) Jeffrey.

Short Answer Questions

1. From what location does Matthews call Garfield to tell him bad news?

2. What does the second sister to call the narrator of the Prologue reveal during their phone call?

3. Who comes to see the dean when Yo turns down the academic award?

4. To whom does the narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" write, begging him to "come rescue" (51) her?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What event occurs in the Garcia household that causes Mami to start taking Valium and sleeping pills?

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

4. Who includes a special note for Sarita on the back of a photograph she sends to the Dominican Republic?

5. Provide three points along the timeline of Sarita's childhood and adolescence.

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

7. What is the symbolism of the powder Sarita's mother uses in an effort to get to New York City?

8. For what two reasons does Yo go to Miami?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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