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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. Whose house does Carlos visit in the beginning of Chapter 12?

2. How old is Carlos in the anecdote with which chapter 1 opens?

3. According to a magazine mentioned in Chapter 19, in what year is the world expected to end?

4. From what did Carlos's father die?

5. What is the name of the beggar in Carlos's neighborhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the gift exchange between Carlos and Aunt Lucía that is discussed in Chapter 18.

2. According to Chapter 7, what happened to Cuba after Fidel came to power?

3. As discussed in Chapter 17, describe the Chinese man's profession.

4. How do Cubans relate to a statue of Saint Lazarus, and what connection does Carlos have with one?

5. Explain one of the lessons on hell that is described in Chapter 19.

6. Where does Carlos see the Cuba-shaped clouds, and how does he feel about them?

7. How did Carlos's grandfather Amado die, and how old was he?

8. Why does Carlos wish he could have been a Viking?

9. With regard to Fernando's prison term, what does "rehabilitation" mean?

10. Describe what Carlos sees at the dining room window in Chapter 6.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the effects of Communism, using either money or the Bosque as a lens through which to view those effects.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the archetypal villains of the militia, Fidel, and Ernesto.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the relationship between history and memory in this book. In your opinion, is this book more about Carlos's memories or more about history? Explain your thoughts, using as much detail from the text as you can remember.

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