The House on Mango Street and The Rice Sandwich

What reason does Esperanza’s mother give for refusing to let her eat in the canteen?

• It will make more work for her.

• She knows that the canteen food isn’t good.

• The family can’t afford to pay for lunch.

• Esperanza is a very picky eater.

The narrator creates humor by--

• describing Esperanza’s appearance

• providing her reasons for wanting to eat in the canteen

• having the nun point out Esperanza’s house

• describing the rice sandwich

Why does Esperanza ask her mother to allow her to eat at the canteen?

• Her mother works so Esperanza can’t go home for lunch.

• Esperanza lives too far away from home and gets tired.

• Esperanza wants to eat with the kids in the canteen.

• Esperanza is very skinny and often faints.

Why does Esperanza take a rice sandwich to school?

• Esperanza’s mother is punishing her for defying the nuns.

• Rice is the only lunch food she will eat.

• They do not have any lunch meat.

• Esperanza’s mother is playing a joke on her.

Why is Esperanza sent to the Sister Superior?

• She started crying in the lunch line.

• She needs permission to eat in the canteen.

• She does not need permission to eat in the canteen.

• The nun knows she doesn’t have money for a school lunch.

What does Sister Superior discover when she reads the note?

• Esperanza is skinny and she is not well.

• All the kids dislike the canteen.

• Esperanza’s family has moved.

• Esperanza cannot afford to buy lunch.

How does Sister Superior react to the note?

• She calls Esperanza’s mother.

• She visits Esperanza’s apartment.

• She sends Esperanza to the nurse’s office.

• She confronts Esperanza about where she lives.

What can you infer about Sister Superior?

• She has just started teaching

• She is cruel to the children.

• She does not like Esperanza.

• She is a wise and experienced nun.

The story’s theme can be expressed as —

• it is important to demand your rights

• eating lunch in school is better than eating lunch at home

• things are not always as wonderful as they seem

• parents always know what’s best for their children

The author selected the first-person point of view to —

• help readers experience Esperanza’s thoughts more fully

• persuade parents to be less strict

• show what Esperanza’s mother feels

• tell the advantages/disadvantages of eating in the canteen