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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. Olga is murdered because of a mayor by what name?

2. What kind of funeral does Olga receive?

3. What has Pantoja become obsessed with by Chapter 8?

4. Olga is murdered because of men from what city?

5. Who has a dream where animals eat each other, in Chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do members of the Army feel about Brother Francisco?

2. How does Pantoja react when he is told of the decision to discontinue the operations of the SSGFRI?

3. What happens at the end of Chapter 8 when news of the Special Service starts to spread?

4. What is surprising about Olga's funeral?

5. What information does Maclovia reveal during her radio interview that outrages listeners?

6. What happens when Chuchupe and Wong try to convince Pantoja to leave the military and go into business with them?

7. Why does Pantoja put on his uniform in Chapter 10?

8. Describe Olga's life prior to becoming a prostitute with the Special Service.

9. Describe Leonor's dream at the beginning of Chapter 10.

10. What does a letter to Sinchi from disgruntled citizens say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the author's use of comedy or humor in his novel. What instances of humor do you notice? Why do you think the author wrote his book with this tone in mind? Considering the subject matter, are you surprised by the lightheartedness of the novel as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

Explore Pantoja's feelings about sex throughout the novel. How does he seem to feel about sex prior to the formation of the Special Service? How do his views change? What are some examples that show how his views change? What do you think is the significance of his changes views on sex? What is the author trying to say about Pantoja as a character? What might he be saying about sex?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of Olga's murder to the rest of the novel? Why do you think Olga is killed off in the story? Are you surprised by her fate? Why or why not? How does her murder move the plot of the story along? Do you think it is significant that her murder is the result of a botched plan to kidnap and rape her? Why do you think Vargas Llosa chooses to kill her this way and not actually be purposefully be murdered by Moray and his men?

(see the answer keys)

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