Cofer's Reflections on Skin and Color

In the “Skin” section, what comment did the grocer make to Cofer that stayed with her?

• He said she was too pale.

• He asked her to leave.

• He called her “dirty” because of her skin color.

• He complimented her Spanish.

What effect did the grocer’s comment have on Cofer?

• She laughed it off and moved on.

• It made her more confident in her appearance.

• It embarrassed her and stayed in her memory.

• She forgot about it the next day.

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What is the significance of Cofer describing herself as “invisible” in her youth?

• She wanted to hide from the world.

• Her skin made her feel unseen or unacknowledged in a racialized society.

• She enjoyed being alone.

• She liked to play hide and seek.

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Which literary device is most evident in the sentence: “I was too dark in America and too pale in Puerto Rico”?

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Juxtaposition

• Simile

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What does Cofer’s experience in the “Color” section reveal about racial identity?

• Everyone is treated equally regardless of color.

• Identity is shaped by cultural standards and local perceptions.

• Color has no influence on how others treat you.

• Puerto Rico is more racist than the U.S.

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True or False: In Puerto Rico, Cofer was praised for her fair complexion.

• True

• False

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In the “Color” section, what causes Cofer to feel “confused and disoriented”?

• Her inability to speak English

• Being perceived differently in Puerto Rico and the U.S. based on her color

• Her changing height

• Not being able to find her family

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Which word best describes the tone of the “Skin” section?

• Humorous

• Confessional

• Bitter

• Reflective

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What message does Cofer convey by comparing her skin color in different cultural contexts?

• Identity is stable no matter the environment.

• Cultural standards have little effect on self-esteem.

• Racial and beauty standards are socially constructed and inconsistent.

• Everyone should look the same.

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How do the “Skin” and “Color” sections contribute to the central theme of the essay?

• They explain how Cofer became a writer.

• They demonstrate how cultural perceptions of physical traits shape personal identity.

• They describe her family's migration history.

• They highlight fashion trends of her youth.

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