Esperanza Rising: Los Duraznos; Las Uvas

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Vocabulary: Synonyms are words with similar meanings. Draw a line from each word in
the 1st column to its synonym in the 2nd column. Then use the words in the 1st column to fill in the
blanks in the sentences below.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
primly		hopefulness
antiseptic		formally
buoyed		full-grown
skeptically		germ-free
mature		doubtfully
infinite		cheered
optimism		endless

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The walls and floors were scrubbed and the doctors’ instruments were sterilized so
that everything in the operating room was ____________________.

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My parents promised me a dog when I was ____________________ enough to care for
it on my own.

1

The teacher regarded her student ____________________ when he gave her a lame
excuse for not doing his homework.

1

Lisa ____________________ called her babysitter “Miss Wallace” instead of calling her
“Cindy.”

1

You have a greater chance of success if you face a new challenge with
____________________.

1

As a talented writer, scientist, and musician, Paul was assured by his guidance coun-
selor that he would have ____________________ choices for his future profession.

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The hopes of the stranded victims of a boating accident were ____________________
when they saw the Coast Guard coming to their rescue.

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Why does Esperanza know that Isabel’s wish to be la reina will not come true?

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How does the arrival of the families from Oklahoma affect Esperanza and the other
Mexicans at the camp?

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In what ways does Esperanza reveal that her feelings about the inequalities in
American life are becoming stronger?

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Why does Esperanza give Isabel her porcelain doll and a bag of peaches?

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How does Esperanza and Hortensia’s family prepare for Mama’s return from the
hospital?

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Why did Miguel take Esperanza’s money?

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Why is Abuelita amused when she sees the blanket she started and Esperanza has
almost finished?

1

Why was it risky for Miguel to take Abuelita out of Mexico?

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Do you think Esperanza or Miguel is more realistic about the future of Mexicans in
America?

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Do you think Esperanza should feel guilty about Miguel’s departure?

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Why do you think the small homemade shrine inspires deep feelings in many of the
people who come to Esperanza’s cabin?

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Why doesn’t Esperanza understand and speak English? Do you think she will learn
the language one day?

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Why do you think the chapters of this book are given the names of fruits and
vegetables instead of the months of the year? Why do you think two different
chapters in the book are called “Las Uvas”?

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Why is Esperanza once again able to hear the earth’s heartbeat?

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Cliffhanger—A cliffhanger is a device borrowed from serialized silent films in which
an episode ends at a moment of suspense or heightened tension. In a book it usually
appears at the end of a chapter to encourage the reader to continue on in the book.
What is the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter entitled “Los Duraznos”?

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Simile—What is being compared in the following simile?

Then, like the irrigation pipes in the fields when the water is
first turned on, her [Esperanza’s] anger burst forth.

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Why is this a good comparison?

Literary Element: Theme
Theme in literature refers to the statement(s) about life the author is trying to get across
to the reader. Often the theme is repeated in different parts of the book. For example:
Papa says in Chapter One, “Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hand.”
Toward the end of the book, this quote is repeated by both Miguel and Esperanza.

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What does this quote mean?

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How does this quote apply to Esperanza’s life?

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Vocabulary: Synonyms are words with similar meanings. Draw a line from each word inthe 1st column to its synonym in the 2nd column. Then use the words in the 1st column to fill in theblanks in the sentences below.

The walls and floors were scrubbed and the doctors’ instruments were sterilized sothat everything in the operating room was ____________________.

My parents promised me a dog when I was ____________________ enough to care forit on my own.

The teacher regarded her student ____________________ when he gave her a lameexcuse for not doing his homework.

Lisa ____________________ called her babysitter “Miss Wallace” instead of calling her“Cindy.”

You have a greater chance of success if you face a new challenge with____________________.

As a talented writer, scientist, and musician, Paul was assured by his guidance coun-selor that he would have ____________________ choices for his future profession.

The hopes of the stranded victims of a boating accident were ____________________when they saw the Coast Guard coming to their rescue.

Why does Esperanza know that Isabel’s wish to be la reina will not come true?

How does the arrival of the families from Oklahoma affect Esperanza and the otherMexicans at the camp?

In what ways does Esperanza reveal that her feelings about the inequalities inAmerican life are becoming stronger?

Why does Esperanza give Isabel her porcelain doll and a bag of peaches?

How does Esperanza and Hortensia’s family prepare for Mama’s return from thehospital?

Why did Miguel take Esperanza’s money?

Why is Abuelita amused when she sees the blanket she started and Esperanza hasalmost finished?

Why was it risky for Miguel to take Abuelita out of Mexico?

Do you think Esperanza or Miguel is more realistic about the future of Mexicans inAmerica?

Do you think Esperanza should feel guilty about Miguel’s departure?

Why do you think the small homemade shrine inspires deep feelings in many of thepeople who come to Esperanza’s cabin?

Why doesn’t Esperanza understand and speak English? Do you think she will learnthe language one day?

Why do you think the chapters of this book are given the names of fruits andvegetables instead of the months of the year? Why do you think two differentchapters in the book are called “Las Uvas”?

Why is Esperanza once again able to hear the earth’s heartbeat?

Simile—What is being compared in the following simile?Then, like the irrigation pipes in the fields when the water isfirst turned on, her [Esperanza’s] anger burst forth.

Why is this a good comparison?

What does this quote mean?

How does this quote apply to Esperanza’s life?

How may it apply to other people’s lives?

Vocabulary: Synonyms are words with similar meanings. Draw a line from each word in
the 1st column to its synonym in the 2nd column. Then use the words in the 1st column to fill in the
blanks in the sentences below.

The walls and floors were scrubbed and the doctors’ instruments were sterilized so
that everything in the operating room was ____________________.

My parents promised me a dog when I was ____________________ enough to care for
it on my own.

The teacher regarded her student ____________________ when he gave her a lame
excuse for not doing his homework.

Lisa ____________________ called her babysitter “Miss Wallace” instead of calling her
“Cindy.”

You have a greater chance of success if you face a new challenge with
____________________.

As a talented writer, scientist, and musician, Paul was assured by his guidance coun-
selor that he would have ____________________ choices for his future profession.

The hopes of the stranded victims of a boating accident were ____________________
when they saw the Coast Guard coming to their rescue.

How does the arrival of the families from Oklahoma affect Esperanza and the other
Mexicans at the camp?

In what ways does Esperanza reveal that her feelings about the inequalities in
American life are becoming stronger?

How does Esperanza and Hortensia’s family prepare for Mama’s return from the
hospital?

Why is Abuelita amused when she sees the blanket she started and Esperanza has
almost finished?

Do you think Esperanza or Miguel is more realistic about the future of Mexicans in
America?

Why do you think the small homemade shrine inspires deep feelings in many of the
people who come to Esperanza’s cabin?

Why doesn’t Esperanza understand and speak English? Do you think she will learn
the language one day?

Why do you think the chapters of this book are given the names of fruits and
vegetables instead of the months of the year? Why do you think two different
chapters in the book are called “Las Uvas”?

Simile—What is being compared in the following simile?

Then, like the irrigation pipes in the fields when the water is
first turned on, her [Esperanza’s] anger burst forth.