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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When does Rodriguez think that minority students should get help?
(a) When they are in high school.
(b) When they start college.
(c) At the earliest possible age.
(d) When they look for a first job.

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

3. Who teaches Rodriguez that stereotypes are not accurate?
(a) His boss at his job.
(b) The other students.
(c) His professors at Stanford.
(d) The well-educated construction workers.

4. When Rodriguez applies for teaching jobs, what happens?
(a) He gets one or two offers from out-of-state schools.
(b) He gets lots of good job offers.
(c) He is told the schools will not hire a minority candidate.
(d) He does not get any job offers.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Rodriguez, who does affirmative action help?

2. In the last chapters of the book, what is Rodriguez keeping secret from his family?

3. How do Rodriguez's friends affect his religious practices?

4. Now that he is a teacher, what does Rodriguez blame white students for?

5. In Complexion, Chapter 2, what does Rodriguez do to try to change his skin color?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would Rodriguez change affirmative action? What examples does he offer to support his suggestion?

2. How does Rodriguez handle applying for teaching positions?

3. How does Rodriguez feel about white students' attitudes toward affirmative action?

4. As a teacher, how does Rodriguez interact with these other minority students? Why does he act that way?

5. What conversation does Rodriguez have with a colleague about teaching positions? What decision does Rodriguez make as a result of that conversation?

6. What does Rodriguez learn from working with the construction workers? Give two specific examples.

7. How does Rodriguez describe the change in the Catholic Church that happens as he grows up?

8. How does Rodriguez use the label "minority student"? How does he feel about it? Give specific reasons why he feels that way.

9. As a child, what does Rodriguez learn about dark skin?

10. Why does Rodriguez's mother call him "Mr. Secrets"? In spite of his secretive behavior, what does Rodriguez believe she knows?

(see the answer keys)

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