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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. How does the Grandmother try to edge her way back into Inocencio's life?

2. What is the name of Soledad's child?

3. Why does Soledad's daughter hate her?

4. Soledad's child was not happy unless he _______________.

5. To what city does Viva want to move and take Celaya with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What position does Soledad take regarding her life when her son is born?

2. Even though they both had behaved inappropriately, how did Narciso save Inocencio from a fate similar to his own?

3. What does Celaya learn about herself as a freshman, and who is the friend who takes her under her wing?

4. Who is Celaya and how does she depose Soledad in Inocencio's affections?

5. What lie did Narciso tell about his three missing ribs and what is the truth of the story?

6. How does Fina feel about her mother, Soledad, after her father dies?

7. What major purchase does Inocencio make without consulting Zoila and how does she react when she learns about it?

8. Describe the chaos of the Mexican Revolution.

9. What are the conditions under which Inocencio is able to buy the San Antonio house?

10. What are the emotional reasons that Soledad hates Celaya?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall ethnic culture for the book. What influences does ethnicity have on Cisneros' novel? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues reflected in the work?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Cisneros' use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where she did.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title--CARAMELO. Why did Cisneros choose this title? Is there an understood message in the title? Is there another title you can suggest that might be more appropriate?

(see the answer keys)

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