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

Short Answer Questions

1. In what direction does the girl decide to go?

2. Valentin cannot focus on the story because _____________.

3. Who encourages Molina on the phone to be good, even though the report notes that the voice sounds slightly fake?

4. In what kind of costume is the man dressed?

5. To whom does Valentin want to write although he thinks it might be wrong to do so?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Women do not seem to play a large role in the story, being relegated only to the maternal role and to the person Valentin continues his fight for.

Part 1: Who are the female characters in this story? What is their relationship to the main characters of the dialogue?

Part 2: Do the female characters seem stronger or weaker than the male characters? Why did you choose the answer you did?

Part 3: What does Puig seem to be saying about the female gender?

Essay Topic 2

The development of the relationship between Molina and Valentin is slow and steady as the chapters pass. Puig seems to understand the realism of the relationship that does develop between these two characters.

Part 1: What makes the relationship between Molina and Valentin seem realistic?

Part 2: How does Molina encourage Valentin to be comfortable about him?

Part 3: Why do you think Valentin opens up to Molina in the way he does?

Essay Topic 3

The writing style of Puig allows readers a chance to fill in the blanks, using their own imagination. This has been seen as a weak writing style, but also a powerful writing style by critics.

Part 1: What does the lack of every detail do for the story Puig is trying to tell?

Part 2: Would the story's power be lessened by more narrative and detail? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think it matters if the blanks you fill in with your imagination are different from the blanks another reader might fill in? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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