Efrén Divided

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Based on direct and indirect characterization in the first half of the novel, how do Efrén and David compare?

A) Both are studious and serious.

B) Efrén is less showy than David.

C) David is more scholarly than Efrén.

D) Both are interested in social change.

2. How does Efrén show that he respects Jennifer Huerta’s ideas?

A) He checks out from the library the book that she recommends.

B) He tells David that she has better posters for school president.

C) He agrees to think about running for treasurer in the election.

D) He reassures her when he hears her crying in the girls’ room.

3. What is the first plan for Amá to get home from Mexico?

A) She will wait for money from Apá, then pay off the border guards.

B) She will make the trip with many other parents who were deported.

C) She will apply for citizenship papers and wait in her hometown.

D) She will cross the border into the US with the help of a coyote.

4. Which statement best describes how Efrén deals with the missed history assignment?

A) He turns in a forged note from David; they are caught and assigned detention.

B) He agrees to take the parental notification home; then he has David sign it.

C) He almost turns in a note of excuse forged by David; he decides against it.

D) He mouths off to Mr. Garrett about it; because of his attitude, he gets detention.

5. What character trait does Efrén display in the scene at Don Tapatio’s food truck?

A) Selflessness

B) Resourcefulness

C) Scholarship

D) Selfishness

6. What point is Efrén trying to make to the twins through the use of the analogy to The Sneetches?

A) Those who live in America and those who live in Mexico will never agree as to who should live where.

B) Amá and her friends from church think that they are more kind-hearted than immigration officials.

C) Amá and Apá believe that they are luckier and better off in the US than they were in Mexico.

D) Some US lawmakers and other citizens think they should prevent some immigrants from coming to America.

7. Which statement offers the best paraphrasing of Jennifer’s saying about seeds?

A) People who change the world are planting a better future for others.

B) Trying to oppress those seeking change will only motivate them further.

C) You must nurture change with time and attention if you want it to take effect.

D) No matter our different backgrounds and interests, we can all agree on change.

8. Of these, which circumstances lead most directly to Efrén running for president?

A) Jennifer is not able to do it, and he empathizes with the reasons she was running.

B) David is enthusiastic, but he has unrealistic ideas and wants to pass on responsibilities.

C) Efrén knows that Amá misses him and the twins, and she would love a reason to be proud.

D) Mrs. Salas wants Han Pham to run, but Han is too shy to handle speaking in front of a crowd.

9. What is the author’s probable purpose with Efrén seeing Mr. Garrett dressed as George Washington?

A) To reveal that Mr. Garrett has a second job

B) To indicate Mr. Garrett’s favorite historical figure

C) To prove Mr. Garrett’s renewed devotion to teaching

D) To show that Mr. Garrett has a sense of humor

10. Which of these statements best describes the reason Efrén thinks of himself as “lucky” when he touches el Muro?

A) He knows Amá will be back home soon; others are not so lucky.

B) He is grateful to have met Lalo; Lalo’s luck rubs off on others.

C) He did nothing to earn his citizenship; it is just luck that he is blessed.

D) He realizes he might have lost the money for Amá; he is lucky to have it.

11. What does Amá’s story about the motorcycle ride imply about her?

A) She had forgotten how much fear she felt on the journey.

B) She was upset that Apá could not find safer transportation.

C) She had a desire for adventure in her younger days.

D) She was intent on having her first child in America.

12. Apá confides to Efrén that he is sorry he cannot provide real beds and a better home to his family. What does Efrén’s response demonstrate about him?

A) Efrén learned about true poverty in Tijuana.

B) Efrén understands that Apá will look for better work.

C) Efrén tried to care diligently for Max and Mia.

D) Efrén sees that Apá is tired and worried.

13. What does Apá promise Efrén regarding Amá the night she was supposed to make it home?

A) To find help from the workers at the Fair Tomorrow Program

B) To find a babysitter for Max and Mia so that Efrén can take a job

C) To take another job and use his first wages to bring Amá home

D) To keep trying and never give up on Amá, even if it takes a long time

14. Jennifer tells Efrén that, though she is back in America, she cannot run for school president. What does her reason for this decision show about her?

A) That she knows she cannot waste her chance at success

B) That she wants to concede because Efrén will certainly win

C) That she thinks Efrén deserves the honor since his mother is gone

D) That she understands she gave up her campaign when she left

15. Which is the strongest reason Efrén decides to run for president?

A) Mrs. Salas reminds him that only he and David can run.

B) He thinks of growing up as a “Muro kid,” and Apá never seeing Amá.

C) David reveals that he is fine with being vice president.

D) Jennifer Huerta and Han arrive in the school yard and convince him.

Long-Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. The main plot surrounds Efrén’s struggles as a result of Amá’s deportation. What is one subplot in the novel that also affects Efrén? Summarize the conflict, development, and resolution of this subplot.

2. What are some of the various ways in which Efrén is forced to mature quickly when Amá is deported? What effects do these coming-of-age experiences have on his character?

3. Over the short time that Efrén is in Tijuana, how do his notions about the city change? What does he witness or experience to bring about his changed opinions?