Elements of the Plot
What is the main setting at the beginning of Summer of the Mariposas?
A. Mexico
B. The Texas border
C. A forest in Oklahoma
D. A school in California
B. The Texas border
Which of the sisters is the most responsible?
Odilia
What does "mariposas" mean in English?
Butterflies
How is the novel structured?
A. As diary entries
B. As a mythological poem
C. As a first-person chronological narrative
D. As a collection of short stories
C – As a first-person chronological narrative
What can the reader infer about Odilia’s role in the family?
A. She is a troublemaker
B. She is unaware of her sisters’ needs
C. She prefers to be alone
D. She acts as a second mother
D– She acts as a second mother
What event sets the story in motion? We call it the hero's call to action.
A. The sisters run away from home
B. The discovery of a dead man in the river
C. Their father calls from Mexico
D. Odilia finds a magical amulet
B. The discovery of a dead man in the river
How does Juanita contribute to the group’s journey?
A. She’s the planner
B. She’s brave and speaks up
C. She handles the money
D. She distracts the enemies
B - She’s brave and speaks up
In the context of the novel, what is the best meaning of the word nagual?
A. A spiritual guide
B. A protective animal
C. A shapeshifter or dark spirit
D. A magical flower
C – A shapeshifter or dark spirit
Why does the author include magical elements?
A. To make it seem less serious
B. To add humor
C. To reflect cultural beliefs and enhance the story’s meaning
D. To distract from the plot
C – To reflect cultural beliefs and enhance the story’s meaning
What can you conclude about the sisters’ journey?
A. It was selfish
B. It was dangerous but necessary for their growth
C. It was planned carefully
D. It was led by their father
B – It was dangerous but necessary for their growth
Why do the sisters decide to take the dead man to Mexico?
A. To claim a reward
B. To honor their heritage
C. To return him to his family
D. To escape their problems at home
C. To return him to his family
Why is Odilia hesitant to go on the journey at first?
A. She is afraid of being punished
B. She doesn’t like her sisters
C. She is loyal to her mother
D. She is afraid of Mexico
C – She is loyal to her mother
What is the effect of using Spanish words in the text?
A. It confuses readers
B. It adds cultural richness and realism
C. It slows down the story
D. It makes the characters sound angry
B – It adds cultural richness and realism
The use of flashbacks in the novel helps the reader:
A. Understand future events
B. Skip unimportant details
C. Learn about the family’s past and emotional depth
D. Focus on the setting
C – Learn about the family’s past and emotional depth
What does the reaction of the border patrol show?
A. That the sisters were not brave
B. That laws are unfair
C. That people do not always listen to children
D. That returning to the U.S. is easy
C – That people do not always listen to children
What role does the La Llorona myth play in the story?
A. It warns them to stay away from water
B. She serves as a mentor, guide and protector
C. She tries to stop the sisters' journey
D. It is used to scare the younger sisters
B – She serves as a guide and protector
What motivates the sisters to return home?
A. Homesickness
B. Their mother’s health
C. Guilt and maturity
D. Their father's phone call
C – Guilt and maturity
The author uses the word “journey” throughout the novel, what kind of journey is meant?
A. Only a physical journey
B. A journey to get money
C. An emotional and spiritual journey
D. A vacation
C – An emotional and spiritual journey
What is the author's purpose for writing this novel?
A. To explain Mexican geography
B. To entertain and explore family, culture, and personal growth
C. To teach about butterflies
D. To provide a mystery story
B – To entertain and explore family, culture, and personal growth
What is implied about Odilia’s relationship with her father?
A. She forgets about him
B. She misses him but feels betrayed
C. She wants him to raise her
D. She believes he will save them
B – She misses him but feels betrayed
What do the sisters learn about family during their journey?
A. That family should always live together
B. That they don’t need anyone else
C. That family is worth protecting, even through hardship
D. That independence is more important than family
C – That family is worth protecting, even through hardship
How does Odilia show leadership?
A. She makes jokes to calm her sisters
B. She makes decisions and sacrifices for them
C. She avoids confrontation
D. She always follows what the others say
B - She makes decisions and sacrifices for them
What does "transformation" most likely mean in this story?
A. A magic spell
B. A big personal change
C. A physical injury
D. A religious tradition
B – A big personal change
What kind of conflict is central to the story?
A. Man vs. nature
B. Man vs. self
C. Man vs. society
D. Man vs. technology
B – Man vs. self
Why do the girls lie to their mother at first?
A. They want to surprise her
B. They are scared and ashamed
C. They think she knows already
D. They enjoy keeping secrets
B – They are scared and ashamed