langofcomp2e

Reading Comprehension Quiz (Marjorie Agosín, “Always Living in Spanish”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Marjorie Agosín, “Always Living in Spanish”

Read “Always Living in Spanish” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question Agosín named her essay “Always Living in Spanish” and yet she is widely translated in English. How does the name of the essay contribute to her overall message in the essay?

1. Agosín named her essay “Always Living in Spanish” and yet she is widely translated in English. How does the name of the essay contribute to her overall message in the essay?

Because she is able to write her memories in Spanish, her memories of Chile, even when they are translated, will continue to be alive.

She refuses to speak or write in English even though she has learned the language.

She lives in a Spanish-speaking country and is constantly surrounded by the Spanish language.

Her family required that she only speak Spanish while she was growing up.

Question Based on this essay, how does Agosín feel about translations?

2. Based on this essay, how does Agosín feel about translations?

They create a diluted form of the intended message.

Translations are corrupting the different languages.

Translations help those who feel alienated to be comfortable in two languages.

Translations are the best way to learn a new language.

Question How might one describe Agosín’s first years in the United States?

3. How might one describe Agosín’s first years in the United States?

fraught with danger and constantly overshadowed by the threat of disappearance or death

defined by overwhelming homesickness in an environment that was not welcoming

full of opportunity, and she and her family acclimated quickly

None of the above.

Question Agosín wrote that “I, too, became one who had to live and speak in translation.” Who is she connecting herself to with this line?

4. Agosín wrote that “I, too, became one who had to live and speak in translation.” Who is she connecting herself to with this line?

The people who have had to emigrate from different countries to the United States.

Her family and their need to emigrate for various reasons.

People living in new countries who wish to be back in their home country.

All of the above.

Question What type of essay is this?

5. What type of essay is this?

expository

descriptive

narrative

argumentative

Question Why does Agosín end her essay with a one-sentence paragraph?

6. Why does Agosín end her essay with a one-sentence paragraph?

She wishes to dispel a widely held belief regarding translators and translations.

She wishes to encourage people to read more translations.

She wishes to indicate that there is more to say on the subject of translators.

All of the above.

Question What does Agosín mean by the idea that exiles “share the unresolvable torment of not being able to live in the language of their childhood”?

7. What does Agosín mean by the idea that exiles “share the unresolvable torment of not being able to live in the language of their childhood”?

Exiles, because they are running, can never return to the homelands of their youth.

Exiles who are homesick in a new place cannot express themselves and their world in the same way as in their native languages.

People in the United States don’t allow immigrated exiles to speak their native languages.

Because her family has mostly died, her language is dying with her.

Question What does Agosín believe about language and identity?

8. What does Agosín believe about language and identity?

They are separate and unique.

Spanish-speaking individuals are more closely bound to their culture.

The Chilean identity is separate from the language.

They are inextricably linked.