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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 brings his camera and shoots photos of everyone on Christmas at Mayor's apartment?

2. What is Micho Alvarez's profession?

3. When Garrett and Mayor are caught fighting at school, how long does Garrett say it has been since he has seen his father?

4. What is the result of the accident where Maribel was injured?

5. Where was the apartment where Nelia Zafon lived with Josie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information about Mayor and Maribel does Quisqueya relate to the Riveras?

2. Why does Rafael lose his job? What problems does this present?

3. What causes the strife between Mayor and William?

4. What is Nelia Zafon's backstory? Where is she from?

5. Why does Arturo have such a difficult time finding a new job?

6. What is illustrated through the communication of Enrique and Mayor when Enrique visits for Christmas?

7. What are the repercussions of Quisqueya's news of Mayor and Maribel?

8. How does Rafael drive on the way home from the car lot? Why does he drive this way?

9. What do the tenants of the Redwood Apartments do when the electricity goes off on Christmas?

10. What enrages Rafael the most about the discovery of Mayor's fight and trouble at school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Where does Arturo work? What is his job like? How does his job in the U.S. differ from his work in Mexico? Why does Arturo lose his job?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss examples of irony in The Book of Unknown Americans. What are examples of dramatic irony in the novel? What are examples of verbal irony? What are examples of situational irony? What purpose does each example serve?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of blame and guilt in The Book of Unknown Americans. Why does Alma blame herself for Maribel's accident? Do you think that her guilt is justified? Who is responsible for Arturo's death?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 815 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample