Cuban Refugee Crisis Quiz

Why did many Cubans decide to flee Cuba in the 1990s?

• A new war started

• Economic collapse and food shortages

• U.S. forced evacuations

• A major hurricane hit the island

Who was the leader of Cuba when Isabel and her family decided to leave the country?

• Raúl Castro

• Che Guevara

• Fidel Castro

• Hugo Chávez

Why were people in Cuba protesting in the streets during Isabel’s story?

• They wanted better music.

• They wanted more food and freedom.

• They were angry about the weather.

• They wanted to go to school.

What was the name of the crisis during which Isabel’s story takes place?

• Cuban Missile Crisis

• Balsero Crisis

• Havana Blockade

• Castro’s Coup

What does the term balseros mean?

• Cuban soldiers

• Illegal smugglers

• People who escaped Cuba on homemade rafts

• Refugee processing officials

Why did the Cuban government try to stop people from leaving the country?

• They needed more people to help build roads

• They didn’t want to lose citizens or show weakness

• They were preparing for a big festival

• They wanted everyone to visit the U.S.

Why was Isabel's father at risk of being arrested?

• He stole from a market

• He protested against the government

• He tried to bribe a police officer

• He spoke to an American

Why did some Cubans eat animals from the zoo?

• They believed it brought good luck

• It was part of a national festival

• There was no food, so people were desperate to survive

• Zoo animals were too dangerous to keep

What was the “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy that affected Cuban refugees like Isabel and her family?

• Only refugees who arrived in the U.S. by boat were allowed to stay.

• Cuban refugees who were caught at sea were returned to Cuba, but those who reached U.S. land could stay.

• All Cuban refugees were granted automatic citizenship upon arrival.

• Refugees had to spend one year in a detention center before entering the U.S.

Why couldn’t Cuban farmers use tractors to grow food?

• They were banned for safety

• There wasn’t enough fuel or parts after the Soviet Union collapsed

• The weather was too hot

• Tractors were used only for building houses