Signs Preceding the End of the World

Multiple Choice

1. D (Chapter 1)

2. A (Chapter 1)

3. C (Chapter 1)

4. B (Chapter 2)

5. B (Chapter 2)

6. A (Chapter 4)

7. C (Chapter 4)

8. A (Chapter 5)

9. A (Chapter 6)

10. C (Chapter 7)

11. A (Chapter 8)

12. B (Chapter 8)

13. B (Chapter 1)

14. D (Various chapters)

15. A (Chapter 9)

Long Answer

1. The protagonist of the novel is Makina, a tough and determined girl from the South who is loyal to her family and focused on her mission to find her brother in the North. While there is no clear antagonist, the character of Mr. Aitch is continually referenced as a source of conflict. Additionally, Makina constantly opposes and is distressed by the antagonistic values of the North. (Various chapters)

2. The novel begins in the “South” and follows Makina on her journey to the “North.” Herrera uses these terms as metonyms for Mexico and the US respectively; in fact, other than a brief reference to “Mexican” food in Chapter 4, all of the locations are implied.