Buried Onions

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

Multiple Choice

1. As Eddie prepares for work, he hears someone calling his name. He reflects, “I glanced over my shoulder, slowing but not stopping, because if you stopped and it was your enemy, your life could spill like soda right on the black asphalt, spill before you could touch your wound” (Chapter 1). Which of the following literary devices does Soto use in this quote?

A) Simile

B) Paradox

C) Personification

D) Allusion

2. Which of the following demonstrates Mr. Stiles’s trust for Eddie?

A) He advises him to continue his education.

B) He allows him to use his car to go to the dump.

C) He pays him a dollar to move the refrigerator.

D) He makes him a sandwich at lunch time.

3. Which of the following phrases best describes the use of the word “Hmong” throughout the novel?

A) A reference to their best friend

B) A discussion of politics in Southeast Asia

C) A term of endearment for their favorite aunt

D) A racial slur referring to people of Asian descent

4. With whom does Eddie associate the ring of the telephone?

A) His mother asking him to return home

B) Angel asking him to help with a job

C) Mr. Stiles asking for his money back

D) His tía asking him to help avenge her son’s death

5. Which of the following reasons best describes why Eddie wants to leave Fresno temporarily?

A) He is tired of being threatened by Lupe.

B) He is shaken up from the accident with José.

C) He wants to follow Angel to his university.

D) He wants to visit tía Dolores.

6. In Chapter 6, what does Lupe mean when he asks Eddie if he has “ever been stuck?”

A) If he has ever used drugs

B) If he has even been beat up

C) If he has ever felt stuck in life

D) If he has ever been stabbed

7. Which of the following words best describes how Eddie feels about life in Fresno?

A) Exciting

B) Fulfilling

C) Ugly

D) Challenging

8. Which of the following phrases best describes Eddie and Coach’s relationship?

A) Conflicting, since Coach is usually reprimanding Eddie

B) Diabolical, since they are scheming how to shoplift together

C) Nonexistent, since Eddie despises Coach

D) Supportive, since Coach encourages Eddie with his future plans

9. As Eddie leaves the Navy recruitment office, he observes individuals struggling with addiction and facing housing insecurity. He remarks, “Hunger, I saw, was crawling from one end of the street to the other” (Chapter 6). Which of the following literary devices does Soto use in this quote?

A) Simile

B) Personification

C) Metaphor

D) Alliteration

10. Which of the following observations by Eddie reoccurs frequently throughout the novel?

A) More people entering a place than exiting

B) Lupe’s tattoos

C) Broken air conditioning units

D) The cold Fresno weather

11. Which of the following words best describes what an onion symbolizes for Eddie throughout the novel?

A) Hope

B) Shame

C) Sadness

D) Poverty

12. Where is Eddie aware that “there is happiness in the world?”

A) Sleeping in his bedroom

B) Spending time with his mother

C) Watching game show contestants

D) Talking with Norma

13. Which of the following phrases best describes Eddie’s recurring references to the mortuary students?

A) The failure of meeting his future goals

B) The looming presence of death

C) The fear of leaving Fresno

D) The pain of his break-up with Lupita

14. After registering for the Navy, Eddie learns that his training will take place in the desert. He remarks, “Funny, I thought. We’re joining the navy, but the navy is in the desert” (Chapter 9). Which of the following literary devices does Soto use in this quote?

A) Allusion

B) Alliteration

C) Idiom

D) Irony

15. Which of the following sentences best describes Eddie’s attitude towards dating in the novel?

A) He is struggling with his sexuality.

B) Girls are attracted to Eddie, but he is only interested in them to a certain extent.

C) He frequently dates girls in his community.

D) He is lovesick for Norma.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Soto’s uses a plethora of comparative language throughout the novel. What does he usually make comparisons to? Identify three uses of comparative language to substantiate your answer.

2. Describe the narration style of the novel. How does this narration shape the relationship between the reader and the protagonist?