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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. What jerks Delaney out of his flashback?

2. What does Delaney see on his walk through Arroyo Blanco?

3. What happens to Candidó when he drinks the dirty water?

4. How does Kyra recognize Candidó?

5. Which of the following does Candidó notice about one of the boys who attacks his campsite?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of interactions occur in the car between América and the fat man?

2. Describe América's interaction with the light-skinned Mexican at the labor exchange.

3. What is the topic of conversation at the first gathering at Arroyo Blanco Community Center?

4. What is Kyra's response to the large group of Mexican men sitting outside a convenience store?

5. Describe Candidó's interaction with the light-skinned Mexican in the park.

6. How does Delaney discover that Candidó is not guilty of spray painting the gate?

7. Why does Candidó think América needs more protein? How does he make sure she gets enough protein?

8. Describe the relationship between América and Candidó.

9. How does Kyra come to decide that the 'real' money is in developing rather than in real estate?

10. What does Kyra give Delaney when he helps her close the Da Ros place? What does Delaney tell her when she describes to him why she likes the mansion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of Boyle's work, "The Tortilla Curtain," does not obviously communicate the theme of his book. In your opinion, why does Boyle choose this particular title for his work? What does this title signify? What does it tell readers about the story?

Essay Topic 2

How is Boyle's story ultimately resolved? Do you think the plot is adequately resolved? In your opinion, what could have been added (or removed) to make it more meaningful?

Essay Topic 3

The coyote reappears numerous times throughout this work. What does the coyote symbolize according to the narrator and to Delaney? How does Delaney's understanding of coyotes also relate to his understanding of Mexican immigrants?

(see the answer keys)

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