House Taken Over by Julio Cortazar

Which excerpt from "House Taken Over" best supports the theme of the story?

• "We liked the house because.. it kept the memories of great-grandparents, our paternal grandfather, our parents, and the whole of childhood."

• "Irene and I got used to staying in the house by ourselves, which was crazy, eight people could have lived in that place and not have gotten in each other's way."

• "Irene never bothered anyone. Once the morning housework was finished, she spent the rest of the day on the sofa in her bedroom knitting."

• "'I had to shut the door to the passage. They've taken over the back part'... 'In that case,' she said, picking up her needles again, 'we'll have to live on this side.'"

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Julio Cortazar, author of "House Taken Over" wrote this story as a reflection of citizens in Argentina following the World War 2 in response to the political turmoil that was taking place. Many young people, including Cortazan, were critical of the government leaders who refused to fight against Hitler early in the war. What parallels do you think he was making between people in Argentina and the siblings in "House Taken Over"?

• Both the Argentinian people and the siblings ran away from their homes and allowed an unknown force to take over.

• Both Argentina and the siblings were able to save what was most important to them despite the threat of an unknown force.

• Both Argentina and the siblings refused to fight against negative forces that threatened to cause harm to them and/or their home.

• Both Argentina and the siblings surrendered in fear that they would overthrown by the unknown forces.

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Which of the following words BEST describes the mood, or overall feeling, established in "House Taken Over"?

• violent

• creepy

• sad

• pleasant

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At the beginning of "House Taken Over," how do the narrator and his sister Irene spend most of their days? Choose 2 options.

• sleeping

• knitting

• shopping

• cleaning

• harvesting crops

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In "House Taken Over, which of the following details MOST clearly suggest the narrator and his sister are nervous and afraid? Choose 2 options

• They intentionally stop thinking

• They occupy themselves by cleaning

• They prefer to spend time in their rooms

• They often cannot fall a sleep and have trouble sleeping peacefully

• They collect French literature and reorder their father's stamp collection.

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What can you infer about the brother and sister's economic status in "House Taken Over"?

• They have few possessions

• They rely on friends to support them

• They take in boarders to earn extra money

• They have enough money to live comfortably

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Why does the narrator throw away the key to the house?

• He has another house and doesn't like this one anymore.

• The house is taken over, and he doesn't want anyone else to enter.

• He accidentally dropped the keys down the drain.

• He's trying to leave his sister behind as bait.

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"House Taken Over" is an example of which literary genre?

• Fantasy

• Realistic fiction

• Magical realism

• Science fiction

What is the tone of House Taken Over?

• Optimistic and hopeful

• Humorous and lighthearted

• Ominous and foreboding

• Adventurous and thrilling

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What is the primary theme of 'House Taken Over' by Julio Cortazar?

• A) The struggle between tradition and change

• B) The impact of war on society

• C) The fear of the unknown

• D) The importance of family

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