Question

directions: answer both the multiple choice and short answer questions below. part i: multiple choice 1. how does elena’s first meeting with eugene in paragraph 9 affect her hopes and dreams? a) elena hopes that she and eugene will become close. b) elena hopes to one day be a nurse like eugene’s mother. c) elena becomes more confident in her parents’ dreams of success. d) elena dreams that their classmates will become more accepting of eugene. 2. in the story, what causes the conflict between elena and her mother? a) elena’s mother believes that all boys are trouble. b) elena feels her mother is jealous because a well - off boy likes her. c) elena’s mother believes that elena doesn’t understand the real world. d) elena feels that her mother is being overly dramatic about president kennedy’s death. 3. how does the conversation with eugene’s mother affect elena? a) elena understands that her community is beautiful. b) elena understands that eugene has been pretending to like her. c) elena realizes that her dreams of friendship and connection are impossible. d) elena realizes that her family’s dreams of buying a home in puerto rico are over. 4. reread the following sentence from paragraph 37: “i did not look down to see the snow turning gray as it touched the ground.” which statement best describes the author’s purpose in ending the story with this line? a) it emphasizes the suffering that the community is experiencing over the death of president kennedy. b) it highlights the end of elena’s idealism and the realization that she lives in a prejudiced world. c) it shows how devastated eugene was when he found out his mother had treated elena. d) it reveals the poor living conditions in elena’s community.

Explanation:

These questions refer to the short story American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer.

1. After meeting Eugene, Elena longs to build a close bond with him, as she is drawn to his quiet, studious nature and sees a potential connection.
2. Elena's mother, rooted in the harsh realities of their immigrant experience and the tensions of the time, believes Elena is too focused on idealized, personal dreams instead of understanding the difficult world around them, sparking their conflict.
3. When Eugene's mother rejects Elena based on her background, Elena's hope for a meaningful friendship with Eugene is crushed, making her feel her dreams of connection are unattainable in that space.
4. The final line reflects Elena losing her innocent, idealistic view of the world; she no longer notices the symbolic "gray" (representing disappointment, prejudice, and harsh reality) because she has now been forced to confront it directly.

Answer:

1. a) Elena hopes that she and Eugene will become close.
2. c) Elena's mother believes that Elena doesn't understand the real world.
3. c) Elena realizes that her dreams of friendship and connection are impossible.
4. b) It highlights the end of Elena's idealism and the realization that she lives in a prejudiced world.