The House on Mango Street: Comprehension Questions and Short Essay

NAME ___________________________________ DATE ____________________ PERIOD ______ ESPERANZA RISING: Ch. 4 & 5 ~ “Las Guayabas & Los Melones” {pp. 58-99} Instructions: After reading, read each question and circle the best answer. Cite the page number of your text evidence in the blanks provided. 1. What is the significance of the chapter’s title, “Las Guayabas/Guavas?” A) Esperanza’s family sells the guavas in order to have money for their journey B) Esperanza’s family eats the guavas along their journey to Zacatecas Page # _______ C) Esperanza’s family throw the guavas at bandits who attack their wagon D) Esperanza’s family hide in a wagon hidden by guavas 2. Most likely, why does Hortensia tell the story about the bandits? A) she wants Esperanza to be brave B) she is trying to entertain Esperanza on the long journey Page # _______ C) she is warning Esperanza to be careful so they will not be spotted D) she is trying to frighten Esperanza 3. How does the train ride in Hortensia’s story contrast with Esperanza’s train ride now? A) clean, soft seats, fine dinner. . . .air conditioning, fresh mangoes, new clothes B) waiters, fruit shapes, fancy clothes. . . .litter, beggars, worn out clothes Pg # ______ C) rotten fruit, dirty children, toothless smile. . . .leather seats, sticky fingers, happiness D) yellow dress, fear of strangers, wooden seats. . .urine smell, grimy hair, crowded 4. What is ironic about Carmen’s (the egg lady) gift to the crippled Indian woman? A) Carmen gave a gift to a woman who was a different race than her B) Carmen’s gift couldn’t be used by the crippled Indian woman Page # _______ C) Carmen knew what it was like to be crippled herself D) Carmen gave a gift to the Indian woman while wealthy people ignored her 5. When Miguel says, “Full bellies and Spanish blood go hand in hand,” he is referring to the problem of – A) not understanding a different language B) not having things because of your race C) not being able to grow your own food D) not eating because of disliking Spanish food Page # _______ 6. At the border crossing in Mexicali, how were the train passengers treated differently? A) the wealthy were given refreshments; the poor had to buy their own B) the wealthy found taxis easier; the poor had to walk Page # _______ C) the wealthy waited in shorter lines; the poor waited longer and seemed suspicious D) the wealthy crossed the border without ID; the poor had to pay extra to cross 7. “Confusion and uncertainty spilled forth and became an arroyo of their own” means that – A) Esperanza spilled all of her clothes out of her bag on the truck ride to the farm B) Esperanza was unsure how she would deal with this huge change in her life C) Esperanza didn’t know if she wanted to learn English like Isabel Page # _______ D) Esperanza cried because she couldn’t hear the earth’s heartbeat 8. Marta’s tone when she speaks with Esperanza can be described as – A) friendly ( ) B) hostile ( ) C) supporting ( ) D) uncaring ( ) Page # _______ 9. According to Marta, why do the farmers not want the Mexican workers to talk with the Filipinos, Okies, or Japanese workers? A) if the Mexicans find out another group has it better, they might go on strike B) so crops will be harvested faster without having a mix of languages C) so farmers will only have to provide hot water to certain groups Page # _______ D) so the different groups will not find out how much each group is paid 10. On page 99, the word brooded most likely means – A) to style two strands of hair around each other B) to sit silently C) to look at something carefully D) to worry about something ***SHORT ESSAY: PROS and CONS: On p. 98, Marta and Miguel discuss a strike. What is the main advantage and disadvantage of going on strike?? ADVANTAGE (PRO) The main advantage of going on strike is that it can lead to _______________________________________________ better working conditions, fairer wages, and improved rights for the workers. It allows them to collectively negotiate with their _______________________________________________ employers for their rights and needs DISADVANTAGE (CON) However, the main disadvantage of going on strike is the _____________________________________________ potential loss of income during the strike period, which can create financial hardships for the workers and their families. _____________________________________________ Additionally, there is the risk of retaliation from the employers, including possible job loss or other punitive measures