Trash

Part 1, Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. Glass, plastic, paper, cloth, and rubber (Part 1, Chapter 1)

2. A special is a trash bag from a rich area. (Part 1, Chapter 2)

3. The police say it may help solve a crime. (Part 1, Chapter 3)

4. Rat says it belongs to a locker in Central Station. (Part 1, Chapter 4)

5. Raphael’s aunt told the police the boys had found something. (Part 1, Chapter 5)

6. They find a letter with a coded message. (Part 1, Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. Even though Raphael says he trusts the police, the boys seem to be caught up in the mystery of the bag. They may be hoping for a bigger payout if they discover what the bag holds. (Various chapters)

2. Gardo says Raphael sometimes forgets things, so they split the storytelling for greater accuracy. (Part 1, Chapter 5)

Part 2, Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. He runs the Pascal Aguila Mission School, and he is also compiling the story of Rat, Gardo, and Raphael. (Part 2, Chapter 1)

2. The search the internet for Gabriel Olondriz. (Part 2, Chapter 1)

3. He is tortured by the police and eventually released. (Part 2, Chapter 2)

4. Deliver the letter to the prison (Part 2, Chapter 3)

5. José is the former houseboy to the vice president. (Part 2, Chapter 3)

6. Grace is the maid for Senator Zapanta. She thinks José is trustworthy and is saddened that he has been accused of stealing. (Part 2, Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Raphael and José were both victims of corruption in the police station. While Raphael escaped the police station with his life, José did not. Raphael wants to honor José’s memory, and he believes José gave him strength him from beyond the grave. (Part 2, Chapter 3)

2. There are more witnesses to the events of the novel, making the story more credible. Having narrators of varying ages also provides insight into the events from a mature perspective. (Various chapters)

Part 3, Chapters 1-10

Reading Check

1. He convinces Olivia to take him because he says his grandfather is there. (Part 3, Chapter 1)

2. She sees children in cages not tall enough for a grown person to stand in. (Part 3, Chapter 4)

3. He brought corruption charges against Senator Zapanta. (Part 3, Chapter 4)

4. His house was raided and burned down after he reported Zapanta. (Part 3, Chapter 7)

5. He reveals that he is from the island of Sampalo and wants to go home and take the boys with him. (Part 3, Chapter 8)

6. It holds the answer to the code in the letter they have. (Part 3, Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. Even though what Gardo says is a falsehood, there is enough corruption in the city that the story is believable to Olivia. (Part 3, Chapter 1)

2. Because the country Olivia is from defends her rights, the only consequence for her is being removed from the country. The boys do not have similar protection from their country and are in danger because officials are not held accountable for their actions. (Various chapters)

Part 4, Chapters 1-7

Reading Check

1. He steals it from Father Julliard’s safe. (Part 4, Chapter 1)

2. Marco tries to turn Gardo in to the police. (Part 4, Chapter 2)

3. It is where the boys find the next clue, the place where José’s family is buried. (Part 4, Chapter 4)

4. They jump through an opening in the building and escape into a crowd of other kids. (Part 4, Chapter 6)

5. He makes grave memorials, including one for José’s son. (Part 4, Chapter 7)

6. Two say he is guilty, and two say he is not. (Part 4, Chapter 7)

Short Answer

1. He is good at escaping people. Gardo thinks it is because he has been doing it for so long. (Part 4, Chapter 6)

2. With so much corruption in the government, one would think Zapanta would not be afraid to attack newspapers that spoke out against him. It is also surprising that the newspapers are afforded free speech. (Part 4, Chapter 7)

Part 5, Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. They were wearing dirty clothing in a wealthy neighborhood. (Part 5, Chapter 1)

2. The thousands of candles coming together as everyone streams in after work (Part 5, Chapter 2)

3. Pia Dante (Part 5, Chapter 3)

4. Pia Dante is believed to be dead. (Various chapters)

5. Several handfuls of money and a drawing of flowers (Part 5, Chapter 5)

6. $6 million (Part 5, Chapter 4)

7. They scatter it over the dumpsite. (Part 5, Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. They now have enough financial stability to live their lives to a higher moral standard. (Part 5, Chapter 6)

2. Father Julliard still has a fondness for the boys, even though Rat stole from him. He may also approve of the boys’ generosity to some extent. (Various chapters)