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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. According to Jorge Cuesta, how has Mexico created herself?
(a) With no regard for the common people.
(b) With an eye toward preventing civil war.
(c) In opposition to her past.
(d) In agreement with her past.

2. What was the Mexican intellectual's goal?
(a) Political action.
(b) Cultural education.
(c) Propagation of the arts.
(d) Educational reform.

3. How does the Indian perceive salvation? (Chapter Five).
(a) As something attainable only by a few people.
(b) As part of society and the cosmos, as well as individual.
(c) As something solely individual.
(d) As something open to anyone who would believe.

4. What is the value of Sor Juana's poem, "First Dream"?
(a) A penetrating analysis of the effects of European influence.
(b) A philosophical look at the depth of reality.
(c) A philosophical look at Catholicism.
(d) A comprehensive history of the Indians before Cortez.

5. In Paz's argument, how have tradition and religion always been presented to the Mexicans?
(a) As things that stifle their individuality.
(b) As things that will solidify their national identity.
(c) As things leading to their spiritual salvation.
(d) As things to be held lightly or discarded.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Paz, what philosophical fact defines much of Mexico's history?

2. In Asia and Africa, what two seemingly-contradictory ideologies are being used?

3. Who was Emiliano Zapata?

4. Why was Diaz's regime in a precarious position regarding positivist philosophy?

5. What horror did Cortez's rule not commit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Mexico has entered a new phase of thinking and history. How does Paz explain that phase?

2. Who was Sor Juana? Why was she an unusual person both in South America and in old Spain?

3. Despite Mexico's advancements, where does she still stand on the world spectrum? How can she change her placement?

4. What happened when Spanish America separated itself from Spain? Given what Paz has stated throughout the book about that moment in history, draw your own conclusions about why that happened.

5. What does Paz think of the Soviet Union? How does it compare to Mexico?

6. What does Paz say about the national differences among Central and South American nations? How does that tie into their relationship with Spain?

7. Throughout his career, what did Jorge Cuesta argue? What are the benefits and downfalls of his argument?

8. What role did religion play in ancient South American cultures? Did Catholicism change that role?

9. How did Catholicism reduce the Indian converts into passive believers? How was that a significant blow?

10. Why was the Aztec nation able to unify so many diverse tribes? How were they quite skilled with that type of action?

(see the answer keys)

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