Efrén Divided

Multiple Choice

1. B (Chapters 2)

2. A (Chapter 2)

3. D (Chapter 4)

4. C (Chapter 5)

5. B (Chapter 6)

6. D (Chapter 8)

7. B (Chapter 10)

8. A (Chapter 10)

9. C (Chapter 11)

10. C (Chapter 13)

11. D (Chapter 14)

12. A (Chapter 16)

13. D (Chapter 17)

14. A (Chapter 18)

15. B (Chapter 19)

Long-Answer Response

1. Answers may include several possibilities; one strong subplot is the conflict between best friends David and Efrén. The inciting incident for the trouble they experience is Efrén’s realization that Jennifer Huerta would in fact make a better president than David. Later, Efrén cannot help but voice his opinion that David should have a genuine platform; David is upset by this, then swears off their friendship altogether when Efrén runs for the office himself. The climactic moment of this subplot occurs when Efrén discovers the vandalism of his posters and worries that David did it. The conflict in their friendship resolves when Efrén learns the truth and thanks David for removing the vandalized posters; David relinquishes his candidacy, knowing that Efrén will make a better president. The two are united in friendship at the end of the story. (Chapters 2, 7-11, 18-19)

2. Answers might include some of the following points: Efrén must offer care and supervision to Max and Mia, which eliminates any “free” time he might have at home and hinders his ability to get his assignments done for school. He must treat his younger siblings with great patience, especially Max, for whom changes in routine are particularly difficult. He must try to explain to them why Ama cannot home yet. He also worries about Amá, Apá, money, and his responsibilities in general. His duties and worries compound and force him to grow up quickly; these experiences bring him to new appreciation of Amá’s “miracles” and the family unity she provides. (Chapters 3-12)

3. A suggested response would include some of these points: At first Efrén notices the marketplace’s colors and crowds, and he senses a calm atmosphere as vendors begin their day. The McDonald’s restaurant gives him a sense of security, as if Tijuana was not as scary as he’d imagined. Soon, though, Efrén sees that businesses and houses outside the marketplace lack color, care, and basic necessities; Lalo’s small shack, for example, has no attached bathroom, just an outhouse for sharing with neighbors. Efrén also narrowly avoids a run-in with men who want to steal his money, showing that crime is rampant in Tijuana. Finally, the sight of people waiting for a glimpse of loved ones at El Muro and hearing Lalo’s story makes Efrén better understand the immensity of the problem of deported or separated family members. (Chapters 15-19)