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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. Who is Isabel's fiance?

2. In Chapter 7, what does Elisa promise Maria to get her to leave her alone?

3. What business is Elisa's family in?

4. In Chapter 6, what does Pablo give to Elisa when they meet at the Malecon?

5. What kind of car does Luis drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 2, why does Luis tell Marisol that Miramar has survived better than other parts of Havana?

2. In Chapter 9, how does Luis explain his cuts and bruises to Elisa?

3. In Chapter 1, why is Marisol traveling to Cuba for the first time?

4. In Chapter 4, what is Pablo able to discern from Elisa's dress and shoes?

5. In Chapter 2, why is Marisol nervous when she heads through customs coming into Cuba?

6. In Chapter 10, what does Luis tell Marisol about the food ration system in Cuba?

7. In Chapter 7, what secret does Elisa trust Pablo with about her own family?

8. In Chapter 8, why is Pablo wary of the upcoming elections in Cuba?

9. In Chapter 5, what advice does Ana give to Marisol when she gives Marisol Elisa's box that was buried in the backyard?

10. In Chapter 3, what is Elisa's first meeting with Pablo like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 5, why does Ana Rodriguez tell Marisol not to judge her grandmother too harshly when she gives Marisol her grandmother's box of possessions that were buried in Elisa's backyard? What does Marisol find in the box, and how does she react to it? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of the novel, why does Marisol feel a sense of shame related to her wealth when she first arrives in Cuba, especially when she meets Caridad and Cristina? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What does Marisol learn about the Rodriguez family's paladar? What does the paladar symbolize about class inequality and struggle in Cuba? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample