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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. Jose states that working for Yo nets him "more money in a week than he had earned in a" (245) by working his farm?

2. What is the meaning of the Spanish word "maldita" (245)?

3. Dexter meets which of Yo's family members during his surprise visit to the Dominican Republic?

4. How many children does Jose have with his wife before the daughter in the story is born?

5. What kind of book by Yo does Lou buy in the chapter entitled "The Student"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the function of Dexter's character within the novel?

2. Describe Yo's status in the Dominican Republic as an adult.

3. Name at least three narrators of the chapter entitled "The Wedding Guests."

4. In what way does Alvarez set up the United States and the Dominican Republic as foil settings?

5. How does Alvarez depict the effects of the cycle of abuse within the novel?

6. Name three different reasons Jose wants to give his next child to Yo.

7. What reason does Tammy pinpoint when wondering what makes her go along with "Yo's schemes" (147)?

8. What element does Alvarez depict as the main reason for the split between Yo and Dexter?

9. How does Alvarez portray the theme of superstition and religious belief within the chapter entitled "The Night Watchman"?

10. Discuss the ways in which the characters of Yo and Dexter differ.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the author's focus on the theme of adaptability in Julia Alvarez's novel Yo!. What message is Alvarez sending about change and about one other theme of your choice?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the reasons why Julia Alvarez's novel Yo! uses many different narrators to relay the events of the narrative. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is Alvarez's intended effect on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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