American History / Judith Ortiz Cofer

Test Practice

Identify and Analyze Elements of Plot

In your group, discuss how to answer questions about the plot of “American History.”

1. What conflict does the narrator face in the following statement?
“Though I wanted to feel the right thing about President Kennedy’s death, I could not fight the feeling of elation that stirred in my chest.”
a. an external conflict of racism and rejection by Eugene’s mother
b. an external conflict with her mother because she wants to leave the house
c. an internal conflict between a public tragedy and expectation in her personal life
d. an internal conflict related to a lack of self-esteem


How can you determine that answer c is the correct answer?

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