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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. From what do the Cortez children eat their food?

2. What time of day do the paisanos usually get up?

3. Why does Danny plan to buy wine somewhere other than Torrelli's now?

4. Why had the corporal left Mexico with the baby?

5. What are Joe and the woman in #104 caught doing in public?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can Jesus Maria be best characterized?

2. What gift does Danny buy for Sweets and how does he begin to feel about her?

3. What is the Pirate's daily ritual with his quarter and the canvas bag?

4. What are the sleeping arrangements at Danny's house with all the paisanos at home?

5. Who does Jesus Maria encounter in the company of a policeman and what does Jesus Maria do in the situation?

6. What is unusual about the diet of Teresina's children and the manner in which they eat?

7. Who is Dolores Engracia (Sweets) Ramirez and what is her interest in Danny?

8. Who is Tia Ignacia and with which one of the paisanos does she have a romantic interlude?

9. Who is Gracie Montez?

10. How does Big Joe's inability to stay awake get him into trouble with Tia and the law?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Steinbeck use the literary technique of local color in Tortilla Flat? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Tortilla Flat establishments. In the characters. In the events.

Essay Topic 2

Steinbeck is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the character of Torrelli. How does Lee conduct his business and his life? Why is he such an important figure in Tortilla Flat? What does he represent to the other characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 829 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample