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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. Why are the adults remonstrating themselves?

2. How do Anita and her mother communicate with Mundo?

3. What does Anita realize about their Mami when they are waiting for Papi?

4. Who comes to see Anita and Mami?

5. What does Anita write about Mrs. Mancini?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Anita know about why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?

2. What does Anita do when she discovers she has begun her first period?

3. What does the teacher tell the students in school the day Lucinda is leaving and how does Anita react?

4. What message from Chucha does Tia Mari give Anita ?

5. How does Mrs. Mancini's distrust of people turn out to be fortuitous?

6. What does Anita know about a pill and what does she think about it?

7. Who does Mami call for help, and what does Mr. Mancini tell Anita and Mami to do?

8. What do the children do after the American school is closed and how do they get to school?

9. What do Anita's diary entries for June 3, and June 5, 1961, say?

10. What do Mami and Anita do in hiding?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Before We Were Free." Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Before We Were Free." Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in Before We Were Free. Who is free at the beginning of "Before We Were Free"? Who is free by the end of of the novel? What price was paid for freedom? What types of freedom besides physical freedom are implied?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Before We Were Free."

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea or concept you think may have been a part of the Alvarez's agenda. Analyze that idea as it appears throughout the book and discuss Alvarez's probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

5. Research the life of Julia Alvarez to see if her life may have influenced her writing and, if so, where and how?

(see the answer keys)

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