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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 long does it take for the narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" to hear back from the person to whom she writes?

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

3. The narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" is revealed late in the chapter to have what first name?

4. At what type of carnival does the narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" join a team of people competing in a sculpture contest?

5. At what age had the narrator of the chapter entitled "The Cousin" been sent "to the States to school" (37) by her parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the relationship between Yo and Garfield.

2. In what way does the theme of appearance versus reality appear within the end of the chapter entitled "The Maid's Daughter"?

3. In what way does the text depict a series of different religious and spiritual beliefs?

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

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

6. What secret does the narrator of the Prologue's gloomy sister give to the narrator?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of family bonds within Julia Alvarez's novel Yo!. What is Alvarez's message regarding family bonds and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Julia Alvarez's novel Yo!. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

How do the themes of deception and honesty function within the novel, and what is Alvarez's message regarding these themes?

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