The Distance Between Us Prologue, Chapter 1 and 2

According to the passage, how do Abuela Evila and Abuelita Chinta differ in their attitudes towards La Llorona, and what might this suggest about their broader perspectives on life and the world?

MY FATHER’S MOTHER, Abuela Evila, liked to scare us with stories of La Llorona, the weeping woman who roams the canal and steals children away. She would say that if we didn’t behave, La Llorona would take us far away where we would never see our parents again. My other grandmother, Abuelita Chinta, would tell us not to be afraid of La Llorona; that if we prayed, God, La Virgen, and the saints would protect us from her.

• Abuela Evila believes that La Llorona is a real threat, while Abuelita Chinta thinks that prayer can protect children from her. This may suggest that Abuela Evila is more focused on potential dangers and risks, while Abuelita Chinta seeks comfort and protection through faith.

• Abuela Evila and Abuelita Chinta both believe that La Llorona is a real threat, but they have different ideas about how to protect children from her. This may suggest that both grandmothers are equally concerned about the dangers and risks that children face in the world.

• Abuela Evila thinks that La Llorona is just a myth, while Abuelita Chinta believes that prayer can offer real protection from her. This may suggest that Abuela Evila is more skeptical or rationalistic in her worldview, while Abuelita Chinta is more spiritual or religious.

• Abuela Evila and Abuelita Chinta both believe that La Llorona is a real threat, but they have different ideas about how to protect themselves from her. This may suggest that both grandmothers have a pragmatic approach to life and are willing to use different methods to achieve their goals.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What role do the grandmothers play in Prologue, and how do they reflect broader cultural attitudes and beliefs about family and community?

• The grandmothers are minor characters who are not central to the author's story, and their attitudes do not reflect any broader cultural attitudes or beliefs.

• The grandmothers serve as sources of wisdom and guidance for the author, and their differing attitudes towards La Llorona reflect broader cultural beliefs about the power of folklore and superstition in shaping people's lives.

• The grandmothers are presented as opposing forces in the author's life, with Abuela Evila representing fear and negativity, and Abuelita Chinta representing faith and positivity. This reflects broader cultural attitudes about the complex and sometimes conflicting roles that family members can play in a person's life.

• The grandmothers are both idealized and romanticized by the author, who sees them as paragons of traditional Mexican values and beliefs. Their attitudes reflect broader cultural attitudes about the importance of family, community, and faith in Mexican culture.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What can the reader infer about the impact of "El Otro Lado" on the author's family and their experience of separation based on the given quote?

"What I knew back then was that El Otro Lado had already taken my father away. What I knew was that prayers didn't work, because if they did, El Otro Lado wouldn't be taking my mother away, too" (Grande 6).

• The author's father left Mexico voluntarily, seeking a better life in the United States, and his absence was not related to the power of "El Otro Lado."

• The author's mother's departure to the United States was a direct result of the power of "El Otro Lado," which had the ability to pull people away from their families and homes.

• The author's experience of separation from her parents was not related to "El Otro Lado," but rather to the challenges and hardships that her family faced in Mexico.

• The author's belief that "El Otro Lado" had taken her father and mother away suggests that it represents a powerful and mysterious force that shapes the lives of those who live near the border.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

"He went to 'El Otro Lado' to make money so that he could build his family a dream house—as a bricklayer, he spent most of his life building homes for other people, and he now longs to build his own house for himself and his family" (Grande 2).

What role does the dream house play in the author's family's experience of separation and migration, and what does it suggest about the challenges and aspirations of immigrant families like hers?

• The dream house is a minor detail that is not central to the author's story, and it does not reflect any broader cultural or social trends among immigrant families

• The dream house represents a tangible symbol of the author's father's success and ambition, and it reflects broader cultural attitudes about the importance of home ownership and the aspirational dream of home ownership.

• The dream house is a source of stress and tension for the author's family, as they struggle to make ends meet and navigate the challenges of separation and migration

• The dream house is a fantasy that is unlikely to ever be realized, and it highlights the difficulties and limitations that immigrant families face in pursuing their dreams

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In chapter 1, book 1, What can the reader infer about the impact of Mami's departure on Reyna and her siblings, based on the description of their farewell?

• The children are indifferent to Mami's departure and do not appear to be affected by it emotionally.

• The children are sad and tearful at the moment of farewell, but quickly recover and move on with their lives.

• The children are deeply attached to Mami and devastated by her departure, which leaves them feeling alone and abandoned.

• The children are angry and resentful towards Mami for leaving them behind and pursuing her own dreams.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In book 1, chapter 2, What can the reader infer about Abuela Evila's treatment of Mago, Carlos, and Reyna, based on the description of their first night in her house?

• Evila is a caring and loving grandmother who prioritizes her grandchildren's safety, well-being, and comfort.

• Evila is a neglectful and abusive figure who shows little concern for her grandchildren's needs and feelings.

• Evila is a strict and authoritarian figure who uses discipline and punishment to control her grandchildren's behavior.

• Evila is a fun-loving and mischievous grandmother who enjoys playing pranks and scaring her grandchildren.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.K.6

In book 1, chapter 2, What can the reader infer about Élida's behavior towards Mago, Carlos, and Reyna, based on the description in the passage?

• Élida is a caring and supportive cousin who tries to help her younger relatives cope with their difficult circumstances.

• Élida is a jealous and mean-spirited figure who takes pleasure in tormenting Mago, Carlos, and Reyna.

• Élida is a passive observer who remains neutral in the face of her cousins' difficulties and does not get involved.

• Élida is a sympathetic and understanding figure who is also struggling with the challenges of being an orphan.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In book 1, chapter 2, What can the reader infer about the treatment of Reyna and her siblings in Abuela Evila's household, based on the description in the passage?

• They are treated with respect and kindness, and given equal access to food and resources.

• They are treated as second-class citizens, and forced to eat scraps and leftovers while others are given better treatment.

• They are treated well by Tía Emperatriz, who has significant control and agency within the household.

• They are not treated any differently than other members of the household, and are expected to share resources equally.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2