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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 month is it when the story begins?

2. Who interviews Hector and Mando about the robbery?

3. What does Julio realize about himself regarding Vicky?

4. The Fresno area is well known for _____________________.

5. Why do the boys and Uncle Julio go up in an airplane?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author show the importance of the Japanese Americans to the regional economy and culture?

2. What stereotypes of the Latin household does the author present?

3. Who are Hector and Mando and why have they taken a train to Fresno, California?

4. Who is Vicky and why does she spend some time with Hector and Mando?

5. What is Uncle Julio's profession and how did he learn it?

6. How does the Inouye household represent prosperity to the boys?

7. Why does Vicky call to apologize to Hector and Mando and what does Julio offer to make her feel better?

8. What does Uncle Julio tell Hector and Mando to let them know he has been too hard on them?

9. What does the author reveal about the unfortunate home lives of Hector, Mando and Julio?

10. What news report do Julio and the boys hear on the car radio and what is their connection to it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the greatest lesson Hector learns in the book? Is it true that important lessons are also painful ones? What impact did Uncle Julio have on Dencey's life? What would Dencey consider to be her best decision?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of struggle. Identify at least two instances about struggle in the book and then cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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