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This quiz will test your reading comprehension of the first half of The House on Mango Street. Think about each question before you answer. When you finish, raise your hand so I can record your score.
Questions and Answers
1.
Esperanza is named after:
A.
Her aunt
B.
Her mom's best friend
C.
A famous singer
D.
Her great grandmother
Correct Answer
D. Her great grandmother
Explanation Esperanza is named after her great grandmother. This suggests that her parents chose to honor and pay tribute to her great grandmother by naming their daughter after her.
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2.
Esperanza dreams of having:
A.
A new bike
B.
A house of her own
C.
A boyfriend
D.
A lot of money
Correct Answer
B. A house of her own
Explanation Esperanza dreams of having a house of her own because it represents stability, independence, and a sense of belonging. Owning a house provides a sense of security and a place to call home. It symbolizes a level of achievement and success in life. Additionally, having a house of her own means that Esperanza can have control over her living space, decorate it according to her preferences, and create a safe and comfortable environment for herself.
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3.
In "The Family of Little Feet," the girls try on high heels and walk around the neighborhood with them. They are having a fun time until what happens?
A.
Lucy trips and twists her ankle.
B.
Marin laughs at them.
C.
Esperanza'a dad yells at them to take off the shoes.
D.
A bum offers Rachel a dollar for a kiss.
Correct Answer
D. A bum offers Rachel a dollar for a kiss.
Explanation In "The Family of Little Feet," the girls are having a fun time trying on high heels and walking around the neighborhood. However, their fun is interrupted when a bum offers Rachel a dollar for a kiss. This unexpected and inappropriate behavior from the bum disrupts their enjoyment and creates an uncomfortable situation for the girls.
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4.
What type of sandwich does Esperanza bring to lunch the day she gets to eat in the "Canteen" at school?
A.
Peanut Butter & Jelly.
B.
Turkey.
C.
She brings tacos, not a sandwich.
D.
Peanut Butter and Rice.
Correct Answer
D. Peanut Butter and Rice.
5.
Esperanza's two best friends are __________________ and ______________________.
Correct Answer Rachel and Lucy Rachel Lucy Lucy and Rachel Lucy Rachel
Explanation Esperanza's two best friends are Rachel and Lucy. The order of their names can be either Rachel and Lucy or Lucy and Rachel.
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6.
When the girls are playing double-dutch (jump rope) they begin singing about what?
A.
Hips
B.
High heels
C.
Kids at school
D.
Marin's cousin, Louie
Correct Answer
A. Hips
Explanation The correct answer is "hips" because when girls are playing double-dutch, they often sing songs that involve body movements and actions. Singing about "hips" is a common theme in these songs as it relates to the physical movement and coordination required to jump rope.
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7.
What is Esperanza's first job?
A.
Making tortillas at the store down the street.
B.
Working in Uncle Benny's shop.
C.
Developing photos.
D.
Selling antiques.
Correct Answer
C. Developing pHotos.
Explanation Esperanza's first job is developing photos. This is indicated by the option "Developing photos" given in the answer choices. The other options, such as making tortillas, working in Uncle Benny's shop, and selling antiques, are not mentioned in the question and therefore can be ruled out as potential answers.
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8.
What does Esperanza and Nenny want to buy at the antiques store?
A.
A table for their mom.
B.
A record player.
C.
A bike.
D.
A music box.
Correct Answer
D. A music box.
Explanation Esperanza and Nenny want to buy a music box at the antiques store. This is evident from the given options, where the other choices such as a table, record player, and bike are not mentioned. Therefore, the correct answer is a music box.
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9.
What is the name of the boy Marin dances with at a club? (He is later killed by a hit-and-run accident.)
A.
Juan
B.
Geraldo
C.
Antonio
D.
Louie
Correct Answer
B. Geraldo
Explanation In the given question, the correct answer is "Geraldo". This answer is based on the information provided in the question, which states that Marin dances with a boy at a club who is later killed by a hit-and-run accident. Therefore, the name of the boy is Geraldo.
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10.
"Until then I am a red balloon tied to an anchor." This figure of speech is an example of:
A.
Metaphor
B.
Simile
C.
Personification
D.
Onomatopoeia
Correct Answer
A. MetapHor
Explanation The phrase "Until then I am a red balloon tied to an anchor" is a metaphor because it is comparing the speaker to a red balloon tied to an anchor. This comparison suggests that the speaker feels trapped or weighed down, just like a balloon tied to an anchor would be unable to float freely.
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11.
What two things are Alicia afraid of?
A.
Mice & Boys
B.
Mice & Tests
C.
Mice & Rats
D.
Mice & Fathers
Correct Answer
D. Mice & Fathers
Explanation The correct answer is Mice & Fathers. Alicia is afraid of both mice and fathers. This suggests that she may have had a negative experience or association with both mice and fathers, leading to her fear of them. It is possible that she has had a traumatic encounter with mice or has had a difficult relationship with her father, causing her to develop these fears.
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12.
What does Darius say one of the clouds looks like?
A.
God
B.
A dinosaur
C.
Spaghetti
D.
Shoes
Correct Answer
A. God
Explanation Darius describes one of the clouds as resembling God.
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13.
Esperanza has several interactions with nuns in the story. How do the nuns generally make Esperanza feel?
A.
Comforted
B.
Ashamed
C.
Angry
D.
Happy
Correct Answer
B. Ashamed
Explanation Esperanza feels ashamed when she interacts with the nuns in the story. This suggests that the nuns may have made her feel guilty or embarrassed about something, possibly due to their strict religious beliefs or expectations. Their actions or words might have caused Esperanza to question her own actions or feel inadequate in some way, leading to her feeling ashamed.
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14.
What does Elenita, the fortune teller, see in Esperanza'a future?
A.
A lot of money.
B.
Death.
C.
A home in the heart.
D.
A best friend.
Correct Answer
C. A home in the heart.
Explanation In the novel "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Elenita, the fortune teller, predicts that Esperanza will find "A home in the heart" in her future. This means that Esperanza will find a sense of belonging and love in her life, even if her material circumstances may be challenging. This prediction foreshadows the theme of finding true happiness and fulfillment in the relationships and connections we make, rather than in material wealth.
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15.
Why is Esperanza embarrassed at the baptism party?
A.
Her dress is old.
B.
She doesn't know anyone.
C.
She hasn't learned to dance yet.
D.
Her shoes are old.
Correct Answer
D. Her shoes are old.
Explanation Esperanza is embarrassed at the baptism party because her shoes are old. This suggests that she may feel self-conscious or ashamed of her appearance, as having old or worn-out shoes may be seen as a sign of poverty or lack of resources. It is possible that she feels out of place or inferior compared to others who may have newer or better shoes. This embarrassment highlights the importance of social status and material possessions in shaping one's self-image and how others perceive them.
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16.
Louie, who steals a car, is whose cousin?
A.
Marin
B.
Esperanza
C.
Elenita
D.
Rachel & Lucy's
Correct Answer
A. Marin
Explanation Louie, who steals a car, is Marin's cousin.
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17.
What family has too many kids and no dad?
A.
The Cordero family
B.
The Cisneros family
C.
The Vargas family
D.
The Hernandez family
Correct Answer
C. The Vargas family
Explanation The Vargas family is the correct answer because it is stated in the question that they have too many kids and no dad. This implies that the Vargas family has a large number of children and does not have a father figure present in the household.
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18.
Which character is related to French royalty, and also likes cats?
A.
Nenny
B.
Cathy
C.
Jacqueline
D.
Alicia
Correct Answer
B. Cathy
Explanation Cathy is the character related to French royalty and also likes cats.
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19.
Which words below best describe Esperanza's great grandmother?
A.
Calm and peaceful
B.
Gentle and loving
C.
Angry and tired
D.
Wild and independent
Correct Answer
D. Wild and independent
Explanation Esperanza's great grandmother is described as "wild and independent." This suggests that she is free-spirited and self-reliant, not conforming to societal norms or expectations. She may have a strong sense of adventure and a desire for personal freedom. This description implies that she is not easily tamed or controlled, and she values her independence above all else.
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20.
What color does Espernaza say her name is like?
A.
Red
B.
A Muddy Color
C.
The Color of Baked Bread
D.
Ocean Blue
Correct Answer
B. A Muddy Color
Explanation Esperanza says her name is like a muddy color. This suggests that her name is not associated with something vibrant or bright, but rather something dull and unremarkable. The comparison to a muddy color implies a lack of clarity or distinction, perhaps reflecting Esperanza's feelings of invisibility or insignificance. This choice of color also contrasts with the other options, such as red, ocean blue, or the color of baked bread, which are typically more visually appealing and evocative.
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21.
What is it that Esperanza most wants in life? How do you know this? Why do you think she wants this so bad? What does it represent? Your answer must be at least 4 sentences.
22.
Teenage girls and boys are treated very differently in this story by their parents (and sometimes other adults). Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Should teenagers be treated differently based on their gender? Why or why not? Support your reasoning with evidence, arguments, and/or examples.Your answer must be at least 4 sentences.
23.
In 5-6 sentences, tell me what you think of the book so far. Do you like it or not? Why or why not? Can you relate to Esperanza or any of the other characters? In what ways?
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