Buried Onions Review Questions
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Chapter 1 Why is Jesus's death important to the plot?
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Jesus's death shows the everyday violence of growing up in Fresno.
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Chapter 1 When Eddie says he wants a cream soda, Angel tells him that it is a first grade drink. Eddie responds by saying, \"I guess I'm in first grade.\" What does this quote reveal about Eddie's character?
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Eddie doesn't care what others think of him.
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Chapter 1 What does the quote, \"we were like strollers, going back and forth, back and forth, getting nowhere\" do for the reader?
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This quote helps the reader better understand the internal conflict that Eddie is facing.
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Why does Eddie believe that \"the working life was a scam\"?
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Eddie believes that \"the working life was a scam\" because he worked to move an air conditioner with no pay, Mr. Stiles's truck got stolen while he was running a work errand, and a kid on a tricycle falsely accuses him of using bad words.
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Chapter 1 Why does the author, Gary Soto, use the first person point of view?
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The reader can easily connect to and understand Eddie's perspective.
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Chapter 1 What symbolic metaphor does Gary Soto use to help the reader understand the theme of the novel?
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Buried onions
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Chapter 1 How does Eddie feel about respect and love?
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Eddie feels that respect gets more people killed that love does.
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Chapter 2 Why did Eddie drop out of City College?
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Eddie dropped out of City College when his cousin, Jesus was killed.
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Chapter 2 Why did Eddie drive past the park when he was in Mr. Stiles's truck.
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Eddie drove past the park in Mr. Stiles's truck to show off to the other kids.
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Chapter 2 How could have the stealing of Mr. Stiles's truck been avoided?
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Eddie didn't have to drive past the park to show off the truck. He should have went straight to the dump and back again.
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Chapter 3 What does Eddie's mom advise him about Jesus's death?
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Eddie's mom doesn't want Eddie involved in finding and getting revenge for Jesus's death.
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Chapter 3 Why does Eddie go back to City College?
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Eddie goes back to City College to sell back his textbooks.
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Chapter 4 What is the irony with the black guy selling onions at Cuca's restaurant?
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The irony is that onions represent sadness and depression, and the black man is selling the onions because he is trying to provide for his five kids which is sad.
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Chapter 4 What happens to Jose while Eddie is walking back from calling Mr. Stiles?
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Jose gets stabbed.
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Chapter 4 Who does Jose's family blame for his stabbing?
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Jose's family blame Eddie for Jose's stabbing because Eddie was responsible for the stolen truck, and Jose was with him when they found it.
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Chapter 3 What do the yellow shoes symbolize in the novel?
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The yellow shoes symbolize the stupidity and cowardice of Jesus's killer.
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Chapter 3 Why does the author, Gary Soto, include the death of the old man with the air conditioner?
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The author further illustrates how the novel's theme of pain and suffering not only happens in the barrio, but also in the rich neighborhoods.
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Chapter 3 Why does Eddie accept Norma's invitation to go swimming?
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Eddie wants to avoid his mother and his Aunt Gloria who have made an unexpected visit.
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Chapter 3 What fact about Angel adds suspense to the novel?
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The fact that Angel is carrying a gun adds to the suspense of the novel.
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Chapter 4 Why does Eddie tell Jose, \"you should have waited\"?
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Eddie believes that if Jose had waited, then he wouldn't have been hurt.
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Chapter 4 Why does Eddie get metaphorically spooked when he sees more people getting on the bus than getting off?
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Eddie is metaphorically spooked because he is worried that riding the bus will not really get him anywhere.
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Chapter 4 Why is Jose's stabbing important to the plot?
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I further complicates Eddie's internal struggle about living in the barrio.
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Chapter 5 Who is Coach?
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Coach is a former gang member who is now the rec leader at Holmes playground, and Eddie's mentor.
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Chapter 5 Why is Eddie's nina (godmother) crying?
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Eddie's nina's (godmother's) dog, Queenie, is sick and needs to be put down.
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Chapter 5 What is Lupe's relationship to Samuel, and why is Lupe scolding Samuel?
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Lupe and Samuel are brothers, and Lupe scold Samuel for threatening Eddie with a knife.
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Chapter 6 What does Jose tell Lupe and Eddie about Fresno?
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Jose says that Fresno is a hole and he never wants to come back again.
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Chapter 6 How does Lupe's explanation of what it feels like to be stabbed foreshadow events in the novel?
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Lupe explains that being stabbed feels like ice. Eddie has never been stabbed and begins to fear Angel knowing that he now has a gun.
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Chapter 6 What is Eddie paranoid about as he leaves the hospital?
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Eddie is paranoid that Angel will find him.
