68 pages 2 hours read

Julia Alvarez

Before We Were Free

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2002

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Exam Questions

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

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following words best describes Anita’s personality?

A) Introverted

B) Inquisitive

C) Diabolical

D) Depressed

2. Which of the following pairs of words describes the overall mood of the characters in Chapters 1-3?

A) Lackadaisical and genial

B) Aloof and disconcerted

C) Confident and brazen

D) Uneasy and tense

3. Throughout the novel, many of the characters use the adage “No flies fly into a closed mouth.” Which of the following sentences best describes the meaning of this adage?

A) Not telling secrets is inhumane.

B) It is best to always speak what is on your mind.

C) Keeping your opinion to yourself will stop problems in the future.

D) When you do not speak to others about your problems, it only makes you feel worse.

4. After speaking with Sammy and Oscar in Chapter 4, Anita reflects on the role that her new diary plays in her life: “It’s like my whole world is coming undone, but when I write, my pencil is needle and thread, and I’m stitching the scraps back together” (Chapter 4). Which literary devices does Anita use in this quote?

A) Hyperbole, metaphor

B) Allusion, simile

C) Personification, simile

D) Allusion, hyperbole

5. Which of the following best describes how Anita feels about Papi and Tío Toni?

A) Ashamed

B) Dismissive

C) Infuriated

D) Inspired

6. Chucha’s dream about Anita, her siblings, and Mami flying is an example of which of the following literary devices?

A) Personification

B) Paradox

C) Foreshadowing

D) Palindrome

7.

Related Titles

By Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

Homecoming

Julia Alvarez

Homecoming

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

Julia Alvarez

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

Julia Alvarez

How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

In the Name of Salome

Julia Alvarez

In the Name of Salome

Julia Alvarez

Plot Summary

logo

Once Upon a Quinceanera

Julia Alvarez

Once Upon a Quinceanera

Julia Alvarez

Plot Summary

logo

Something to Declare: Essays

Julia Alvarez

Something to Declare: Essays

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

The Cemetery of Untold Stories

Julia Alvarez

The Cemetery of Untold Stories

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

The Daughter of Invention

Julia Alvarez

The Daughter of Invention

Julia Alvarez