Quiz for "American History" by Judith Ortiz Cofer – Flashcards
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tenement
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n. apartment house, often-run down.
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profound
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adj. deep, intense
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discreet
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adj. careful about one's actions; prudent; keeping silent or preserving confidences
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vigilant
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adj. watchful
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elation
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n. exultant joy or pride; high spirits
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dilapidated
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adj. broken down
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Who wrote "American History?"
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Judith Ortiz Cofer
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Elena is a Puerto Rican girl living a
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tenement in New Jersey and becomes friends with a southern white boy by the name of Eugene. She is turned away by Eugene's mother because Elena is Puerto Rican and not a southern white.
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Who painted "Sunday Afternoon" on page 240
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Ralph Fasanella.
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Salsas songs are
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written in particular Latin American musical style.
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viragoes
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means fierce, irritable women who often should
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Skinny Bones is who?
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Elena
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Skinny Bones
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"...hated the city, especially in winter, I hated Public School #13. I hated my skinny flat chested body, and I envied the black girls..."
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Who painted "Brownstones" on page 244 and does the painting suggest.
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Patti Mollica did the painting. The painting suggests the description of Elena's fire escape outside El Building from which she could see Eugene's backyard. The dark, muted colors suggests a bleak winter.
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How does Elena initially feel when approaching Eugene?
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Elena knows the Eugene is different from her and would possibly reject her even though she wants to meet him.
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"Hija" means
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daughter in Spanish.
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Nina means
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child in Spanish.
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"Listen. Honey. Eugene doesn't want to study with you. He is a smart boy. Doesn't need help. You understand me. I am truly sorry if he told you you could come over. He cannot study with you. It's nothing personal. You understand?...run back home now." Eugene's mother comment represents what?
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prejudice
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prejudice
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Believing some people are inferior or superior without even knowing them
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In the first paragraph, what words does Elena use to describe her building?
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The tenement is like a huge juke box.
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How does she describe Eugene's house from her fire escape?
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She describe Eugene's house as small and neat.
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What are the two contrasts when comparing Elena's home with Eugene's?
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Elena feels her home is large and noisy; Eugene's home is quiet and comfortable.
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What subject is Elena going to study with Eugene?
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American history.
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What other reason might Ms. Cofer's narrative have for calling the story "American History"
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Elena's experience of prejudice and rejection are part of the American experience.
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Where is Elena's mother and what is she doing when Elena returns from Eugene's house?
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She is seeking comfort from someone else's kitchen.
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In the last scene of the story, why does Elena say that her tears are just for herself?
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She feels the personal pain much more than the pain of the assassination of JFK.
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Are the conflicts necessary for Elena's personal growth and understanding of the world around her?
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Yes. She will become better informed of the world around especially the prejudice that she experiences from others.
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The main conflict of the story is...
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Elena's struggle to find happiness by becoming part of Eugene's life.
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There are inferences that can be made from this story. Examples are;
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ideas that people love their president; Elena respects education because she wants to become a teacher; and Eugene's mother is prejudiced.
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inference
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A conclusion based on observation or evidence
