Question 1

1. As the novel opens, why is Julia unhappy with her sister's appearance?

Accepted Answer

She doesn't like the dress her mom put her in.

Answer

She doesn't believe they should have had an open casket funeral.

Answer

Her face doesn't even look like her own.

Answer

She doesn't think her sister would approve of the outfit she is wearing.

Question 2

2. Which of the following was NOT one of the things Olga did on a regular basis according to Julia?

Accepted Answer

Went dancing

Answer

Shopped

Answer

Worked

Answer

Went to school

Question 3

3. What is Julia's MAIN goal in life?

Accepted Answer

To become a famous writer

Answer

To figure out her sister's secrets

Answer

To go to college

Answer

To avoid becoming a traditional Mexican wife

Question 4

4. What is similar in the way that both Julia and her father process grief?

Accepted Answer

Neither one of them has cried as of chapter one.

Answer

Neither one of them can stand to look at Olga's casket.

Answer

Neither one of them wants to comfort Ama.

Answer

Neither one of them wants to be at the funeral.

Question 5

5. Which of the following is NOT true about Julia's mother?

Accepted Answer

Ama is her first name.

Answer

She is a traditional wife who cooks, cleans, and attends church.

Answer

She struggles to get along with Julia and has for some time.

Answer

She is very beautiful.

Question 6

6. What can we infer about how Julia feels when her mother receives cat calls/inappropriate male attention?

Accepted Answer

We can infer she is defensive of her mother.

Answer

We can infer she is jealous of her mother.

Answer

We can infer she is embarrassed by her mother.

Answer

We can infer she is angry with her mother.

Question 7

7. What does Julia's mother always do that is embarrassing to Julia?

Accepted Answer

She is always apologizing to white people.

Answer

She is always yelling at Julia in public.

Answer

She is always invading Julia's privacy.

Answer

She is always cooking and cleaning for other people.

Question 8

8. How did Olga die?

Accepted Answer

She was hit by a semi.

Answer

She had an illness.

Answer

She was hit by a bus.

Answer

She was shot in a drive by shooting.

Question 9

9. Why does Julia blame herself?

Accepted Answer

Because she was the reason her mom couldn't pick up her sister.

Answer

Because she was the reason her sister wasn't at home that day.

Answer

Because she didn't pick up the phone the last time her sister called.

Answer

Because she was the reason her sister's car was in the shop.

Question 10

10. Which of the following describes what we know of Lorena so far?

Accepted Answer

Supportive

Answer

Conservative

Answer

Obedient

Answer

Respectful

Question 11

11. Which of the following is true of the two weeks after Olga's funeral?

Accepted Answer

Ama is depressed and struggles to get out of bed.

Answer

Julia sneaks out of the apartment to find out more about Olga's life.

Answer

Julia spends a lot of time with Lorena.

Answer

People in their extended family bring over lots of food to eat.

Question 12

12. According to Julia, what do submissive Mexican wives do?

Accepted Answer

Cook and clean

Answer

Look pretty and take care of their husbands

Answer

Work and support their families

Answer

Stay home and take care of babies

Question 13

13. Julia spends a lot of time focusing on food. What does this recurring motif suggest?

Accepted Answer

That just as Julia becomes tired of the limited Mexican food options she has at home, so does she also feel stifled by other expectations of her culture.

Answer

That Julia has become too Americanized and only likes American foods.

Answer

That there is no food in Julia's house at all because she is expected to work to provide for the family.

Answer

That food is not important in Mexican culture and so Julia doesn't like the options she has to eat..

Question 14

14. Which of the following is NOT a reason Julia gives for not wanting a quinceanera?

Accepted Answer

She doesn't want it to be held in a church.

Answer

She doesn't want her parents to spend the money.

Answer

She doesn't want to dance in front of other people.

Answer

She is already fifteen.

Question 15

15. What does Julia do when she has trouble sleeping?

Accepted Answer

She sneaks into Olga's room.

Answer

She writes in her journal.

Answer

She reads.

Answer

She listens to music.

Question 16

16. What was Olga's job before she died?

Accepted Answer

She worked as a receptionist.

Answer

She worked in a restaurant.

Answer

She worked at a hotel.

Answer

She worked at the community college.

Question 17

17. Which of the following is NOT one of the things Julia finds in her sister's bedroom?

Accepted Answer

A password to her sister's laptop

Answer

A note that says "I love you"

Answer

Sexy underwear

Answer

A hotel key

Question 18

18. Which of the following is Julia's favorite subject in school?

Accepted Answer

English

Answer

Spanish

Answer

Math

Answer

Science

Question 19

19. How does Julia's favorite word foreshadow her life?

Accepted Answer

Her favorite word is wisteria, which rhymes with hysteria, which suggests everything is going to fall apart.

Answer

Her favorite word is serendipity, even though her life is all planned out for her because of her Mexican culture.

Answer

Her favorite word is hieroglyphics, which is ironic because she is not Egyptian.

Answer

Her favorite word is flesh and this is ironic because likes to dress in scandalous clothing.

Question 20

20. Why does Julia like Mr. Ingman?

Accepted Answer

Because he treats his students with respect.

Answer

Because he dresses like a nerd.

Answer

Because his class is easy.

Answer

Because English is her best subject.

Question 21

21. Why doesn't Julia bring Lorena downtown with her on her mission to visit The Continental?

Accepted Answer

Because she left abruptly after storming out of Mr. Simmon's class.

Answer

Because she doesn't want Lorena to get in trouble.

Answer

Because Lorena wouldn't go.

Answer

Because she wanted to go alone.

Question 22

22. Why does the author include the glimmer of kindness at the diner when Julia's food is paid for by a stranger?

Accepted Answer

To remind people that no matter how bad things seem, there are always positive things in life.

Answer

To explain how Julia had enough money to catch the train back home that evening.

Answer

To set up a mystery and potentially a future relationship between Julia and the man.

Answer

To show that it is a good idea to go to a diner if you are ever in need of food.

Question 23

23. Why is Julia's visit to The Continental fruitless?

Accepted Answer

Because even though Olga is dead, it is company policy to not share any information.

Answer

Because the woman at the counter can tell by looking at Julia that she doesn't belong there.

Answer

Because they cannot find any evidence that Olga was ever a guest there.

Answer

Because  the person she needs to speak to is not there that day.

Question 24

24. How does Julia describe Angie?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

She describes her as similar to Olga in her traditional life choices.

Answer

She describes her as beautiful.

Answer

She describes her as talented and artistic.

Question 25

25. How does Angie react when Julia tells her about the hotel key?

Accepted Answer

She is angry with Julia for snooping and seeming to care more about Olga now than when she was alive.

Answer

She doesn't really react one way or another because it is clear that Angie is in a deep depressive state.

Answer

She is surprised because she knows Olga couldn't afford a room there.

Answer

She is not surprised because she was the one meeting Olga at the hotel.

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