And The Earth Did Not Devour Him

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapter 1

Reading Check

1. Which word does the boy use to describe this particular year?

2. Who does the boy realize is calling him?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does the boy feel there is “no way out?” What does he find himself doing this year?

2. Identify which action the boy chooses not to tell his mother about.

Chapters 2-4

Reading Check

1. What information is the woman told about Julianito?

2. According to the mother, what does her son wear around his neck?

3. Which state is the speaker apprehensive about working in?

4. What is the first thing the nurse does?

5. Where does the boy like walking through?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does the boss shoot the child? What are the consequences?

2. Describe the narration style in Chapter 3. Who is the narrator speaking to? What does she speak about?

3. How do the authorities react to the boy’s fight at school? What are the consequences of his actions?

4. In the conversation about attending school, why does the first speaker share that they attend classes? How does the second speaker respond?

Paired Resource

“Hispanic Americans in the Korean War”

• The United States Army’s Center of Military History discusses the role that Mexican Americans played in the Korean War.
• This source relates to the theme The Interdependence of Paradoxical Elements.
• Based on the novel and the above resource, compare and contrast the sense of allegiance in representing the US overseas.

Chapters 5-7

Reading Check

1. Why is the speaker bothered by the fact that he is asked to do work after school?

2. What does the barber say to the man when he asks for a haircut?

3. When is the first time the speaker feels “hate and anger?”

4. How does the speaker react when his little brother becomes sick from working in the sun?

5. What vision does the speaker see of the earth?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Who does the speaker live with until the school year ends? Describe how he feels about his living situation.

2. What uncomfortable activity is the speaker forced to do? Describe his response.

3. Who does the speaker try to call at midnight? What happens when he makes the call?

4. What lessons does the pastor offer the group of men? What is the result of the lessons?

5. Describe what happened to the speaker’s father. How does the speaker react to the situation?

6. What does the grandfather ask his grandson? Summarize their brief conversation.

Chapters 8-10

Reading Check

1. Why can’t the speaker sleep the night before his first communion?

2. Why is the teacher surprised that the child tears the button off his shirt?

3. Why do the groom and the father of the bride try to pack down the soil?

4. Why does the car carrying workers crash?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does the speaker see before his first communion? How does this sight affect him?

2. Who is the García family? Summarize which tragedy befalls them.

3. Why is there a blackout at the dance? Describe the events that lead to this situation.

Paired Resource

“On Religion, Mexicans are More Catholic and Often More Traditional than Mexican Americans”

• Pew Research Center’s 2014 article argues that Catholicism decreases with second and third-generation Americans.
• This resource relates to the theme of The Power of Storytelling.
• How does the above article’s argument relate to the narrator’s changing religious views?

Chapters 11-13

Reading Check

1. What do Doña María’s children ask for every Christmas?

2. What must Doña María and her husband save money for every week?

3. What did the priest use the money that he made from the blessings on?

4. Why do the speakers speculate that Figueroa was arrested?

5. Where is the truck full of workers travelling to?

6. According to Bartolo, what is “the seed of love in the darkness?”

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What significant action does Doña María take in order to appease her children’s wishes? Summarize what happens as a result of her actions.

2. Describe the incident with the salesman. What item was he selling? What was the result of his sales and how does the community respond?

3. Describe the content of the chapter on the travelers. What do the narrations reveal about the motive of each worker?

Paired Resource

“Storytelling in Mexican Homes: Connections Between Oral and Literacy Practices”

• Reese’s 2012 article published on the National Library of Medicine Administration’s website discusses the prevalence of storytelling as a “cultural resource” for Mexican families.
• This resource connects to the theme The Power of Storytelling.
• Based on the novel as well as the above resource, how does storytelling function as a sociological bond for communities of Mexican heritage?

Chapters 14

Reading Check

1. Why is the boss sad?

2. Why is the boy happy when he returns home?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Where is the speaker hiding? Summarize what he is hiding from.

2. What does the speaker’s inner monologue reveal about the previous content of the novel? How does he conclude his inner monologue?

Recommended Next Reads 

The Harvest: Short Stories by Tomás Rivera

• Rivera’s 1988 collection of short stories intertwines myths and parables in the context of migrant workers.
• The shared themes include The Power of Storytelling and The Interdependence of Paradoxical Elements.
• Shared topics include migrant farm workers, dichotomous themes, and Mexican American communities.

Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera

• Herrera’s 2009 novel follows protagonist Makina as she experiences a variety of obstacles on her journey to the North.
• This connects with the themes The Power of Storytelling and The Interdependence of Paradoxical Elements.
• Shared topics include ambiguous narrative styles, stream-of-consciousness, north/south journeys, the difficult experiences of migrants in the US, and Hispanic communities fighting for the US.
• Signs Preceding the End of the World on SuperSummary