View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Micho Alvarez's profession?

2. For how many years was the diner open where Mayor's father worked when it shut its doors?

3. What was the name of Rafael's donkey?

4. What boxer did Fito Angelino aspire to be like?

5. For how long did Nelia Zafon live with Josie in her apartment?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What kind of car do the Toros buy? Why?

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

4. What do the Riveras do to celebrate their anniversary? What mood is created in this scene?

5. Why does Alma keep the information about Garrett secret from Arturo?

6. What is Mayor's punishment from his parents for fighting in school?

7. What causes the strife between Mayor and William?

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

9. How does Gloria come into a sum of money? How much is it? What does she do with it?

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

Why are Mayor and Maribel forbidden from seeing one another? Do you think that this punishment was justified? Why or why not? What are the repercussions of this action?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of romantic love in The Book of Unknown Americans. How is this theme illustrated through Alma and Arturo? How is it illustrated through the Toro family? How does the author explore this theme through Mayor and Maribel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Mayor Toro in The Book of Unknown Americans. How old is Mayor? What are his likes and dislikes? Where is his family from? What attracts Mayor to Maribel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample