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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. What does the teacher tell Carla to do?

2. For how long has Anita's country had the same leader?

3. Who is Mr. Washburn?

4. What is Anita doing when her mother comes in to talk with her?

5. When does Anita use a pencil?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Anita feel when Oscar comes over to play with Sammy?

2. What do Sam and Anita see at Tio Tony's home and what do they decide to do about it?

3. Who comes into the classroom and what does the teacher do?

4. How does Antia compare American elections to those of her country?

5. Where is Anita at the opening of the story, and what is she doing?

6. Why is Anita spending more time in the bathroom?

7. Who is moving in next door, and why is Anita particularly happy about it?

8. What does Chucha reply when Anita asks about seeing her cousins again, and how does Anita feel about the answer?

9. What does Mami say about why the family is staying in the country?

10. What does Papi explain to Anita about Carla when Anita gets home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Before We Were Free," Anita grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Anita as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Anita?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Anita's growth throughout "Before We Were Free," do you think "Before We Were Free" could be considered Anita's coming-of-age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Before We Were Free" who go through a coming-of-age experience? If yes, who and why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

"Before We Were Free" belongs to the young-adult-novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give examples of three other genres in addition to the young-adult-novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons that it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons that it might be disadvantageous to do so.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young-adult novel and a historical mystery novel ?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Judge whether "Before We Were Free" is a successful novel based on the characteristics of a successful novel that you identified. Fully discuss the reasons for your judgment.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if the novel is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Do you think that most adults would consider "Before We Were Free" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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