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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 do Kino and Juan Tomas fear, as revealed in Chapter 4?

2. Where does Kino's family hide in the daytime while they are running away?

3. Which songs are in Kino's head as he sneaks up on the trackers?

4. What do Kino and Juana do when they walk back into town at the end of the novel?

5. What is not something Kino does over the mountains to trick the trackers?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Kino says, "I am a man" to Juana, what does that mean to her?

2. What is Kino's plan of attack if the trackers do not pass his family on the road?

3. The place where Kino and his family find water in Chapter 6 is a place of life because it where all animals gather; it is also a place of killing. There is not much water at the spot.

4. Describe the man and trackers as they rest for the night.

5. Describe the place where Juana and Kino spend the day in Chapter 6 while they are on the run.

6. What is evil beyond thinking to Kino?

7. Why do all the divers leave their canoes on the beach the morning after Kino's big pearl find?

8. How does Coyotito get shot?

9. What motivation do the pearl buyers have to purchase the great pearl at a low price?

10. Why does Juana try to destroy the pearl after their failed attempt at selling it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the capital represent to the villagers and to Kino?

1.) How does Kino find the trek to the capital—a path where every step is filled with the unknown?

2.) How do the pearl buyers feel about the capital?

3.) Why do few villagers travel to the capital, although they could possibly get a better deal for their pearls?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of powerful forces manipulating the environment is prevalent throughout the novel.

1) What are some examples of ways the author uses symbolism to develop this theme?

2) How is the theme developed through character actions?

3) How does setting relate to the theme of powerful forces manipulating the environment?

Essay Topic 3

Race is an important theme throughout the novel. Discuss how race is shown and how this tension causes problems for Kino and his family.

1.) How would a less-biased response from the doctor or his servant at the gate affected the rest of the story? Would the outcome be different if the doctor had treated Coyotito from his scorpion bite initially? Why or why not?

2.) How do the pearl buyers represent the oppression that a biased social structure brings to the community? How do they work against the divers and prevent a fair deal?

3.) How does this racial situation affect Kino's response to the dead man he stabbed?

(see the answer keys)

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