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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 is Pascal Aguila's cause of death?

2. For how many years has Gabriel Olondriz been in prison?

3. How many people were killed when Smoky Mountain collapsed?

4. Whose daughter is Pia Dante?

5. Who had donated the Pascal Aguila Mission School's sole computer?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Raphael says that he and Gardo might as well be brothers, what evidence does he give to support this conclusion?

2. What is a "special" (18) and how does the idea of a "special" widen the scope of the reader's understanding of Trash's setting?

3. Though the police beat Raphael severely, leaving him bruised and battered, what actions do they threaten him with that never actually come to pass?

4. What is different about the day the police come to orchestrate the search for the leather bag, versus a normal day within the dumpsite?

5. Describe Raphael's house in Behala.

6. What does Grace say about where she imagines Pia Dante is now?

7. What are all of the items of value that Raphael and Gardo find inside the "special" (18) containing the mysterious and money-laden leather bag?

8. List three physical changes that occur within Raphael's body as a result of his terror at being hauled away from his house by the police.

9. What does Father Juilliard say about his imminent departure from his position running the Pascal Aguila Mission School?

10. When Raphael is finally released from the police station, why does he laugh as he walks home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the climax of the novel Trash and its denouement. How does the author employ them and how does their juxtaposition help him get across the main message of the novel? Use quotes from the narrative to prove your claim.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the boys' decision to put part of the six million dollars into backpacks in order to throw them randomly into the dump for others to find. Why do they make that decision and how do you know? Is their action just? Does it rectify the wrongs visited upon the people by Senator Zapanta? Back up your points with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Determine the author's message regarding the power of choice within the novel Trash. Support your claim with quotes from the narrative. Be sure to use a variety of characters and situations to back up your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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