The Only Road

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which character’s perspective does the narration most often follow?

A) Xavi’s

B) Ángela’s

C) Jaime’s

D) Rafa’s

2. Which is the most reasonable interpretation of what Jaime’s sketchbook represents?

A) Art lets us escape from reality into fantasy.

B) We need hobbies to distract us from painful emotions.

C) Art makes the world more beautiful and meaningful.

D) We each choose how we see the world around us.

3. What is the most likely purpose for including Ángela’s character in this story?

A) She demonstrates that women are better at handling crisis situations.

B) She demonstrates the additional dangers that female Central Americans face.

C) She demonstrates that women are more emotionally attached to family relationships.

D) She demonstrates the pressure on families to provide financially for their daughters.

4. Which is the best description of both Jaime and Ángela?

A) They are ordinary, average children.

B) They are mischievous and a little rebellious.

C) They are curious and intellectual children.

D) They are bold and a little reckless.

5. Which is the most likely purpose for including Xavi, Rafa, and Joaquín in this story?

A) They highlight how naive and privileged Jaime and Ángela are.

B) They show the wide variety of children trying to make it to the US on their own.

C) They highlight how generous and self-sacrificing Jaime and Ángela are.

D) They show how many children are fleeing abuse in their own homes.

6. Which of the following does the novel often use to represent love and compassion?

A) Money

B) Clothing

C) Food

D) Music

7. Which is the most reasonable interpretation of what the dog, Vida, represents?

A) Resilience

B) Generosity

C) Authority

D) Adversity

8. What motivates most of the migrants in the novel who are trying to get to the US?

A) Economic ambition

B) Love of family

C) Religious belief

D) Fear of violence

9. Which of the following characters is depicted as the most generous and compassionate?

A) Joaquín

B) Señora Pérez

C) Pulguita

D) El Gordo

10. Which part of Jaime and Ángela’s trip to the US is depicted as the most difficult?

A) Traveling through Mexico

B) Crossing the Guatemalan border into Mexico

C) Crossing the Mexican border into the US

D) Adjusting to the US culture

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. In what sense is Padre Kevin a morally ambiguous character?

2. Why are the trains referred to as la bestia?