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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. Who is the only woman that truly knows Robles?

2. What does Robles say is the challenge of the era?

3. What causes the family to temporarily relocate to New York City and then Paris?

4. To what does Robles compare the intensity and exhilaration he feels with Hortensia?

5. Why do Robles and Norma marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is wrong with Gabriel's gift to his mother?

2. What do the workers do when their food supply is taken away by the factory owners?

3. What happens to Betina and Jamie?

4. What does Rosenda tell Ixca about Mexico City?

5. What is the climax of Robles' military service?

6. How do both Ixca and Rodrigo feel about Norma?

7. Describe Bobo's parties.

8. How do the de Ovandos find Mexico when they return in 1935?

9. What does Gervasio tell the men when they continue to run through scenarios and their possible outcomes?

10. What does Robles learn from being in the military?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ixca's mother, Teodula, demands a sacrifice to save the poor people of Mexico City.

Part 1) What is this sacrifice?

Part 2) Why is this the sacrifice?

Part 3) Does this sacrifice, in fact, save the people? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Ixca and Norma have an affair.

Part 1) Why?

Part 2) Why is Ixca intriguing to Norma?

Part 3) How dose Ixca treat her? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Gervasio Pola's death is a key symbol in this story.

Part 1) Describe Gervasio Pola and the events surrounding his death.

Part 2) How does his death affect the other characters?

Part 3) How is his death symbolic? What does it symbolize?

(see the answer keys)

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