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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. Why does Myron think someone in the DA's office has it out for Esperanza?

2. What does Myron see that causes him to leave Sophie's office?

3. What does Win think the find at the apartment means?

4. What does Myron tell Win when he gets back in the car at the courthouse?

5. What does the DA want to prove in Esperanza's case?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think Myron and Esperanza's relationship is like and how do you think Myron feels about it?

2. What happens when Myron sees Esperanza? Why do you think she won't talk to Myron?

3. What kind of history does Myron have with the Aches and what kind of business men are the two?

4. How did Myron react to the news of Clu's withdrawal? Do you think it was moral or ethical for Win to give Clu the money?

5. What does Hester ask Myron and why do you think she asked him?

6. What happened about the hearing for bail for Esperanza? Do you think the judge was fair?

7. What happens during the meeting between Myron and Bonnie Haide? Why do you think she has said what she said?

8. Why do you think Cyndi and Esperanza believe Myron abandoned them?

9. How had things been going for Clu when Myron left on vacation and how did that change?

10. What does Billy Lee's mother tell Myron? Do you think it was right for her to blame Myron for not helping Billy Lee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early on, there are several hints that Esperanza is a lesbian and then that Clu may be a cross dresser (transvestite). Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly trace and analyze the theme of gender.

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze the theme of sexuality.

3. Thoroughly analyze and discuss the bar Take a Guess and why you think people go to this bar.

Essay Topic 2

This novel belongs to the mystery/detective genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term literary genre and explain why this novel would be considered a mystery/detective.

2. Discuss some of the characteristics of a mystery/detective genre, citing examples from the book.

3. Do you think some genres are more "literary" than others? Why or why not? Explain with examples.

4. What do you think is the purpose of classifying a work of fiction into a particular genre?

Essay Topic 3

Esperanza seems disturbed that Myron is bending laws and rules and justifying wrong actions. Discuss the following:

1. In what ways has Myron been bending laws and rules and justifying wrong actions?

2. Do you think there is ever justification for taking the law into your own hands and killing someone whether they did something really bad or not?

3. Who seems more ethical to you--Esperanza or Myron? Explain with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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