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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. Though Manny's mother wanted him to attend a better high school, his father disagreed. What did he want Manny to do instead?

2. While Manny and his mother were watching Manny's father trying to start the car, what was Manny's little sister Pedi doing?

3. What occasions did Manny mention were the only times he had been to the middle-class neighborhoods across town?

4. What simile did Manny use on page 39 to describe the tie that Mr. Hart always wore?

5. Why did Manny decide against calling his dad for a ride home from his school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What caused Rebecca to think that Manuel was somewhere in the pool hall even though Rico told her that Manuel had gone home?

2. What did Manuel do with the $20 he took from Manny's pocket?

3. What kind of relationship did Manny's father and mother have?

4. Why did Manny travel to his school even though it is still summer?

5. What is the significance of Manny's daydream about being on the baseball team and having people looking at him?

6. How did Mr. Hart give Manny $20 even though Manny had refused it?

7. Why was it so uncomfortable for Manny to be within the weighing area where the chili peppers were weighed out for measuring how much each person would be paid?

8. What did Manny mean when he said, "Miracles don't wait for doubters" (8) once Nardo had agreed to come work in the fields with him?

9. What is the significance of Manuel's words to Manny after he snatched the $20l from Manny's pocket?

10. How does the theme of "otherness" emerge within the aftermath of the Immigration officers' removal of the illegal immigrants from the field?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the treatment of the unconscious within the novel, in particular focusing on dreams and second sight. Why are these elements included by the author and what effect do they have on the reader's understanding of the novel's themes and messages? Use concrete details from the narrative to support your points.

Essay Topic 2

What do housework, cleaning, and chores symbolize within the novel? Support your claim with concrete details from the narrative.

Essay Topic 3

Explicate the theme of trust within the novel, particularly in relation to the novel's title. What is the author's message regarding trust and how do you know? Use specific concrete details from the novel to support your claim.

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