View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Pilar actually buy a ticket to?

2. Where do Lourdes and Rufino decide to live?

3. Why does Celia feel Jorge betrays her?

4. Why does Celia name her son after her father?

5. Why is Hugo forced to marry Felicia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Celia practice the smiles of her youth?

2. When Celia's great aunt takes her to the santera, what prediction is made for Celia's life?

3. What agreement for marriage do Jorge and Celia make?

4. Why does Celia say her father was murdered?

5. Under what condition does Celia tell Gustavo she will come find him?

6. Why must a goat be sacrificed to help Felicia?

7. Why does Jorge allow his sister and mother to terrorize Celia?

8. What are Pilar's supernatural gifts?

9. According to rumors, why have yanquis ringed the island with nuclear poison?

10. What happens when the soldiers return to the ranch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Celia feel abandoned by in the novel? How do her feelings of abandonment affect her relationships? Who does Celia abandon in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Pilar has a strong, psychic connection with her grandmother, Celia, as well as a unique ability to recall details of her life. Yet, Pilar's identity is weak. Why might Pilar have a weak sense of identity? What role do her family members play in shaping her identity? How might her experience leaving home help strengthen her identity?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Celia turn to santeria in order to save her son, Javier? Why does she denounce santeria when Felicia dies? Is Celia consistent with her religious beliefs? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 641 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample