View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when news breaks about cocaine in oranges in Chapter 22?

2. Where does Emi say she is going as she dies?

3. How does Bobby pay the Mexican traffickers?

4. In Chapter 32, what happens when Gabriel visits Mazatlan?

5. While on the bus, what does Rafaela ask Arcangel about his job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emi confess to Buzzworm when she is on top of the news van?

2. What prediction does Manzanar make in Chapter 35 about the Los Angeles sporting events?

3. How does Arcangel bond with Rodriguez in Chapter 23?

4. What does Buzzworm do once he has possession of the cooler Rafaela mailed?

5. What does the situation on the freeway remind Manzanar of in Chapter 28?

6. In Chapter 27, what does Gabriel ask of Emi while he is away in Mexico?

7. What happens when Gabriel goes to Mazatlan in Chapter 32?

8. What happens after the gun is fired in Chapter 42?

9. How do Gabriel and Emi's attitudes toward the news differ in Chapters 26 and 27?

10. How does Rafaela protect herself from the man in the black Jaguar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

What does "Tropic of Orange" reveal about relations between the United States and Mexico? Research the history of this relationship and compare it to the depiction of the relationship in this novel. Consider how the citizens interact as well as the official governments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 804 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample