Inside, the letter was incomplete. The date at the top read “June 8, 1985.” The first paragraph described a hot summer afternoon in Chicago, the sound of coquí frogs from a record her grandmother would play when she felt homesick. The second paragraph apologized—but for what, Mariana could not tell. The sentence broke off mid-way: “I know I promised to return after Abuela’s funeral, but the snow here is nothing like the rain at home. I met someone. His name is Daniel. He works at the factory and he—” The rest of the page was blank. No signature. No closing. No mention of Beatriz again.
A. She resents Elena for leaving and never writing. B. She has completely forgotten about Elena. C. She has remembered Elena and hoped for some kind of closure. D. She believes Mariana is Elena in disguise. readtheory.org
Mariana found the letter while cleaning out her late grandmother’s attic. It was tucked inside a worn copy of The House on Mango Street , pressed between pages 84 and 85. The envelope was yellowed and unsealed, addressed in her grandmother’s familiar cursive to a name Mariana did not recognize: “Beatriz Ramirez, 1423 Calle de la Paz, San Juan, Puerto Rico.” Inside, the letter was incomplete
A. her career as a baker B. her longing for a home or family connection C. her wealth and social status D. her love of travel The sentence broke off mid-way: “I know I
Mariana had always believed her grandmother, Elena, arrived in Chicago alone in 1980 and never looked back. Family legend said she left behind no family, no friends, no unfinished business. Yet here was evidence of a promise broken, a connection abandoned, a story never finished.
“Elena’s granddaughter,” Beatriz whispered. “I’ve been waiting for you for thirty-nine years.” 1. The primary purpose of the letter in the story is to A. explain why Elena left San Juan B. reveal that Elena had a secret family C. show that Elena never intended to return to Puerto Rico D. introduce a mystery about Elena’s past