View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rodriguez think of his parents' ideas on religion?
(a) They are too simple.
(b) They just do what the priest tells them to do.
(c) They are deep and profound.
(d) They are based on good Church teachings.

2. Why does Rodriguez's mother call him "Mr. Secrets"?
(a) Because he lies to his family.
(b) Because he hides things from his family.
(c) Because he likes to surprise them.
(d) Because he does not talk to his family.

3. How does Rodriguez describe the changes in the mass that happen as he grows up?
(a) It is more like a community celebration than a prayer.
(b) It becomes less formal.
(c) It is more like a prayer than a community celebration.
(d) It becomes more formal and structured.

4. When he is a child, what do people say about Rodriguez's complexion?
(a) They tell him he is handsome.
(b) They joke with him about how light his skin is.
(c) They tell him to see a doctor to get help.
(d) They tease him.

5. As an adult, what do people think his complexion says about him?
(a) That he spends a lot of time indoors.
(b) That he is unhealthy.
(c) That he is rich and lives a life of luxury.
(d) That he is poor and works in the sun all day.

6. In Complexion, Chapter 2, what does Rodriguez do to try to change his skin color?
(a) Take medication.
(b) Scrub the color off.
(c) Shave his arms.
(d) Bleach his skin.

7. Where does Rodriguez feel comfortable? Why?
(a) At home, because they love him no matter what he does.
(b) At church, because he believes God loves him in spite of his dark skin.
(c) At school, because they value his intelligence, not his complexion.
(d) With his friends, because they understand him.

8. While he studies at Stanford, what does Rodriguez do to make money?
(a) Tutors other students.
(b) Works in the school cafeteria.
(c) Works a construction job.
(d) Writes for a local newspaper.

9. Is Rodriguez's classmate as good a student as Rodriguez is?
(a) Yes, but he has a bad work history.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes, but the schools do not want to hire him because he has controversial political views.
(d) No.

10. What does Rodriguez think about his ability to succeed with women?
(a) He will succeed because he has such a beautiful "tan."
(b) He can only flirt with dark-skinned women.
(c) He will fail because his skin color makes him ugly.
(d) He will attract a lot of women because he is "exotic."

11. At what stage in their academic career does Rodriguez believe students need help?
(a) When they start school.
(b) When they start college.
(c) During the last two years of high school.
(d) When they start high school.

12. How does Rodriguez's sister feel about her children's complexions?
(a) She is relieved when they are light-skinned.
(b) She wants them to take care of their skin so they are more attractive.
(c) She is disappointed that they do not look more like her.
(d) She is relieved when they are dark-skinned.

13. When a student complains that he is being kept out of law school, what does Rodriguez do?
(a) Tell him to stop whining.
(b) Stay out of it.
(c) Support his case.
(d) Argue against his case.

14. Because of his skin color, what did Rodriguez's parents worry about?
(a) That people would discriminate against him.
(b) That he would have a harder time in school.
(c) That he would take a hard labor job.
(d) That he would get involved with a gang.

15. What changes Rodriguez's ideas about his complexion?
(a) He talks about it with one of his professors.
(b) He writes a news story about the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
(c) He works construction and gets comfortable about revealing his skin.
(d) He talks about it with other minority students.

Short Answer Questions

1. Now that Rodriguez is an adult and done with school, what does his mother ask him to do?

2. What does Rodriguez think about how the meaning of a person's complexion has changed?

3. What does Rodriguez have to face in order to write the book?

4. When he was a child, what did his parents say he looked like?

5. How does Rodriguez feel about writing a book on his family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 801 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample