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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. Why does Arcangel have a difficult time in the restaurant in Chapter 21?

2. How does Bobby try to quit smoking?

3. Why does Gabriel think Manzanar was not born in a World War II camp?

4. What nationality is Bobby?

5. What does Rafaela steal from Dona Maria's house in Chapter 18?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Buzzworm do with his watches in Chapter 4?

2. Why does Rafaela leave Bobby?

3. In Chapter 7, why does the crowd of people distrust Arcangel?

4. What does Bobby think about his disagreements with Rafaela before she left for Mexico?

5. In Chapter 7, what does Arcangel say about his past?

6. Why does Gabriel say things haven't seem right in Chapter 9?

7. In Chapter 14, what does Emi learn about the car accident?

8. In Chapter 16, what raises Buzzworm's suspicion about the deaths of his friends?

9. Why does Rafaela steal from Dona Maria in Chapter 18?

10. How does Gabriel choose the trees for his landscaping in Mexico?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the commentary the author provides on multi-culturalism in "Tropic of Orange"? How do the characters with multi-cultural backgrounds influence this commentary? What does the movement between Mexico and the United States reveal about multi-cultural societies?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Rafaela to Emi. How do these characters define women and their role in society in this novel? How do their feelings toward work affect this definition? How do their attitudes about the homeless and crime affect this definition? Consider the reactions of other characters to these women as a way to gauge approval, or disapproval, of the role of women.

Essay Topic 3

The homeless population play a central role in this novel, although most remain unknown characters. Consider how the characters in "Tropic of Orange" relate to the homeless. How does this large group work as a single character? What is the commentary this novel provides on the homeless?

(see the answer keys)

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