Esperanza Rising Characters

Isabel introduced Esperanza to Irene and Melina, two women who were hanging clothes to dry on a long line stretched between the cabins and a tree. Irene had long gray hair tied in a tail. Melina didn't look much older than Miguel and she already had a baby of her own.

According to this description, Melina is:

• a school child.

• a young mother.

• an old woman

• a tired worker.

Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible.

According to this description, Silvia is:

• messy.

• shy.

• unhappy.

• thoughtful.

Mama reached up and stroked the back of her head. She seemed embarrassed. "I . . . I figured out that I can't wear a hat with my hair on top of my head. And this makes more sense, does it not? After all, I am going to work today, not to a fiesta."

What phrase does the author use to describe Mama’s feelings?

• "Mama reached up and stroked the back of her head."

• "I can’t wear a hat with my hair on top of my head."

• "She seemed embarrassed."

• "I am going to work today,"

She remembered that he had gone to look for work at the railroad. "Did you get a job?"

His sniffle faded. He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. "It is frustrating. I can fix any engine. But they will only hire Mexicans to lay track and dig ditches, not as mechanics. I've decided to work in the fields until I can convince someone to give me a chance."

What do the underlined words help the reader understand about Miguel’s character?

• Miguel is angry at his sister, Esperanza.

• Miguel is proud to work as a mechanic.

• Miguel is discouraged because he cannot find work.

• Miguel is happy to live at a work camp.

"Isabel, I will tell you all about how I used to live. About parties and private school and beautiful dresses. I will even show you the beautiful doll my papa bought me, if you will teach me how to pin diapers, how to wash, and . . ."

Isabel interrupted her. "But that is so easy!"

Esperanza stood up and carefully practiced with the broom. "It is not easy for me."

How does this excerpt show that Esperanza has changed?

• She used to think Isabel was a good friend, but now she is irritated by her interruptions.

• She is learning to use a broom, but she is very sad to have to work instead of going to parties.

• She describes her old life of comfort and nice things, then she shows a willingness to learn to work.

• She once thought cleaning was difficult, but now she thinks sweeping and laundry are easy.

Esperanza looked up to see Miguel, holding a broom and a dustpan. But he wasn't laughing. She looked down and bit her lip so she wouldn't cry in front of him.

He shut the door, then stood in front of her and said, "How would you know how to sweep a floor? The only thing that you ever learned was how to give orders. That is not your fault. Anza, look at me."

Which detail explains how Esperanza must change?

• Esperanza bites her lip and looks down so she won’t cry.

• Miguel tells her that these problems are not her fault.

• Miguel says she only knows how to give orders to servants.

• Esperanza sees her brother looking seriously at her.

In her entire life, Esperanza had never held a broom in her hand. But she had seen Hortensia sweep and she tried to visualize the memory. It couldn't possibly be that hard. She put both hands near the middle of the broomstick and moved it back and forth. It swung wildly. The motion seemed awkward and the fine dirt on the wooden planks lifted into a cloud.

Which detail best explains how Esperanza is changing?

• She has never held a broom in her life

• She makes a cloud of dirt.

• She tries to remember Hortensia.

• She feels awkward sweeping.

Mama reached up and stroked the back of her head. She seemed embarrassed. "I . . . I figured out that I can't wear a hat with my hair on top of my head. And this makes more sense, does it not? After all, I am going to work today, not to a fiesta." Then she hugged Esperanza. "We must go now. The trucks leave at 6:30 to take us to the sheds. Take good care of the babies and stay with Isabel. She knows the camp.”

This passage provides details about which change?

• Mama is going to take care of new babies.

• Esperanza and her family are going to a new place for a fiesta.

• Mama is going to drive a new truck to the shed at 6:30.

• Esperanza’s mother is wearing her hair in a new style.

Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible. Then she remembered Mama's kindness to the peasant girl on the train—and her disappointment in Esperanza. She didn't want Silvia to start crying if she were to pull away. She looked around at the dusty camp and thought that it must be hard to stay clean in such a place. She squeezed Silvia's hand and said, "I have a best friend, too. Her name is Marisol and she lives in Aguascalientes."

This passage shows a change in Esperanza because

• she remembers Mama’s kindness, then acts rudely to the dirty little girl.

• she washes her dirty hands instead of asking Silvia to wash hers.

• she is gentle with Silvia instead of acting unkind like she did with the peasant girl.

• she forgets her best friend, Marisol, and makes Silvia her new best friend

Isabel shook out the clean diapers and hung them on the line stretched between the chinaberry and mulberry trees. Then she started on the clothes. Esperanza was amazed. She had never washed anything in her life and Isabel, who was only eight years old, made it look so easy.

How does the author’s description of Esperanza best help the reader understand Isabel’s character?

• Esperanza’s surprise helps readers see that Isabel shakes out clean laundry.

• Esperanza’s surprise helps readers see that Isabel has never washed anything.

• Esperanza’s surprise helps readers see that Isabel is a very messy girl.

• Esperanza’s surprise helps readers see that Isabel is a very capable worker.