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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 do Lucinda and Anita do that night?

2. Upon what does Anita's mother insist?

3. What grade is Anita placed in at school in New York?

4. What does Anita learn when she finishes her letter to Oscar?

5. How does Anita feel every time she starts to write Oscar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are arrested in town and why?

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

3. What does Anita learn about Chucha?

4. What does Anita decide about men and why?

5. What happens the night before Lucinda leaves?

6. What does Anita discover when she goes into Lucinda's room, and what is Anita's reaction?

7. What does Papi and the Washburns decide to do about Lucinda?

8. What does Anita overhear her father say about the Washburns?

9. How does Chucha help Anita and what does Chucha tell her?

10. What are Mami and Anita waiting for and how has Pupo failed the rebels?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Before We Were Free." Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the symbols she did?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the metaphors she did?

3. Discuss Alvarez's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Alvarez use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot? Define any elements that you list. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Before We Were Free," identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot or the various elements? Why or why not?

3. Identify the major sub-plots in "Before We Were Free," identifying their various elements. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Anita is no exception.

1. Trace and analyze situations in which Anita demonstrates an instinct for handling problems that might be beyond the ability of a twelve-year-old girl. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Anita's character flaws, and explain how they create a more complex and believable character. How do you think Anita's character flaws make some situations more difficult for her?

3. After analyzing Anita's strengths and weaknesses, decide if she is the "heroine" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be considered such? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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