House on Mango Street

Why is Esperanza unhappy with the house on Mango Street?

• The family has to share a yard with neighbors.

• It is far away from their last home.

• A nun from her school is shocked by it.

• It does not match her idea of a good house.

To what does Esperanza belong and not belong?

• her Mama and Papa

• the house on Mango Street

• the flat on Loomis

• her great-grandmother

Mama and Papa buy a house that is different from the one they say they will buy because they _____.

• think that this is the house that their

  children will like the best

• cannot afford a house like the one they

  say they will buy

• decide that the house on Mango Street is

  what they want

• cannot find a white house with a big

  yard and trees

Esperanza says that her name reminds her of _____.

• sad Mexican songs

• fancy chandeliers

• men shaving

• Sunday mornings

Esperanza says of her great-grandmother, “I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place by the window.” What inference can you make about Esperanza?

• She wants to find her own window.

• She plans to refuse to get married.

• She wishes she could change her name.

• She hopes to accomplish things in her

  life.

Esperanza wants to give herself a new name because she _____

• envies her sister for having a nickname

• wants a name that reflects the real her

• disapproves of the way others say her name

• dislikes having her great-grandmother’s name

You can make an inference that Esperanza creates stories about her life to _____.

• free herself from her environment

• be like her story-telling mother

• show her neighbors how smart she is

• remember the streets on which she has lived

Read the following excerpt from the selection. “One day I will say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me here forever.” What do the lines suggest about the author’s perspective on the strength of women?

• Mothers have to be strong to keep their daughters at home.

• Women are strong enough to break free from sad childhood memories.

• Strong houses are needed to keep strong women at home.

• Strong women have to learn how to keep a house sooner or later.

Based on Esperanza’s feelings, what is the author’s perspective on owning a home?

• The only good houses have two levels.

• Owning any house is better than renting a house.

• Having a pleasant house can make you proud.

• Only large houses are worth owning.

Read the following excerpt from the selection. “For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how these things go.” What inference can you make about Esperanza?

• She misunderstands her parents.

• She tries to be a know-it-all.

• She can predict the future.

• She thinks things will not change.