The Red Umbrella

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

Multiple Choice

1. What does Lucia think when her parents first express fear about the changes in Cuba?

A) She is afraid her father might be in danger.

B) She is angry that they do not support Castro.

C) She thinks she should pay more attention to politics.

D) She thinks they are overreacting.

2. Why does the new Cuban government form youth groups and change what students are being taught in school?

A) They want young people to believe in the new government.

B) They want to improve the quality of education.

C) They want students to have more job opportunities.

D) They want parents to have more say in their children’s education.

3. What do Lucia’s reactions to her parents’ rules and Doc Machado’s death show about her?

A) She is rebellious and stubborn.

B) She is impulsive and curious.

C) She thinks she is more mature than she really is.

D) She is more mature than her parents realize.

4. Early in the novel, why does Lucia express support for the revolution in her conversations with her parents?

A) She believes the propaganda she has been exposed to.

B) She is concerned that their home has been bugged.

C) She thinks that this is what her parents want her to say.

D) She is trying to show her parents that she has her own ideas.

5. What claim that Papa makes in Chapter 4 about the CDR proves to be true later in the novel?

A) They will execute anyone who gets in their way.

B) They turn people into spies against their friends and families.

C) They are using propaganda in the school system.

D) They will make it illegal for people to leave Cuba.

6. At first, Lucia begs her parents for permission to go to the dance. What is ironic about this?

A) The dance is the last wonderful memory she has of Cuba.

B) Manuel does not even show up at the dance.

C) Because of the violence in town, the dance is canceled.

D) Eventually her parents force her go to the dance.

7. In Chapter 8, Ivette is keeping a secret from Lucia. What does this secret turn out to be?

A) Manuel is romantically interested in Lucia.

B) Antonio has informed on their family.

C) Ivette is joining the brigadistas.

D) Papa is about to lose his bank job.

8. At the dance, Manuel calls Lucia gusana. This word gets used throughout the text—what does it usually suggest?

A) Women who do not obey men are like worms.

B) Women who do not obey men are like snakes.

C) People who do not support the revolution are like worms.

D) People who do not support the revolution are like snakes.

9. Papa is often shown complaining about losing his money, but what shows that he can be generous with his money?

A) his decision to hide money in the floor

B) the way he treated Mr. Alvarez

C) the purchase of plane tickets for Lucia and Frankie

D) the loyalty of his customers at the bank

10. Although Lucia grows up a lot during her time in the U.S., which scene at the Baxters’ house shows that she is still somewhat childlike?

A) the hot sauce at breakfast

B) the mud fight

C) her discussion with Mrs. Baxter about homework

D) her reaction to the gold necklace

Long-Answer

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

1. Explain where the white heron appears in the book and tell why it is important to Lucia.

2. How do the book’s plot details and its characterization of Lucia help the reader understand why Lucia is annoyed when Mama writes to tell her that she should behave herself and act like a proper young lady?