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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 did Allende's mother do to make some extra money?

2. Where did Allende's family live?

3. What is the title of Allende's most recent book at the time?

4. What did Tio Ramon do for Allende's mother and brothers?

5. What had Allende recently completed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Allende's grandmother, Meme's special gifts.

2. Why does Allende decide to write this book?

3. What is Allende's daily routine in the hospital as she sits with Paula?

4. Compare Allende's physical surroundings with her internal state.

5. What is Paula's initial diagnosis and how does Allende feel when she realizes the nature of her daughter's illness?

6. What initiated Allende's writing her first book?

7. Who is Tio Ramon?

8. What accommodations have been made for Paula in Allende's home?

9. What does Allende reveal about her love for nature and how she first came to realize it?

10. What does Allende recall about the political unrest in Lebanon where the family was living in the late 1950s?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe some of the settings for the novel. Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events.

Essay Topic 2

The relationship of mothers and daughters is of obvious importance to Allende. Briefly describe the relationship between Paula and her mother. What lessons did her mother impart to her that become invaluable in her own relationship with her daughter, Paula? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

What was the nature of the military takeover in Chile in the 1970s? Explain the political climate as well as the impact of the military coups on average citizens like Allende and her family. What is Allende's view on this time period in her life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,138 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample