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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Coyote Runs think the uniforms of the soldiers are silly?

2. What does Brennan take with him when he goes to his sleeping bag?

3. What does Bill say about the canyons in which they are located?

4. What did Bill say to Brennan's mother about what the spot by the springs looked like?

5. What will Coyote Runs be doing when the warriors stop?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bill tell the children about and what is the name of the canyon near them that relates to his story?

2. What does Brennan hear and what does he do with the skull?

3. Why does Brennan work and for whom does he work?

4. What does Brennan Cole like to do and how does it help him?

5. What horse is Coyote Runs riding after the raid and what are his hopes concerning it?

6. In Chapter 3, where is Coyote Runs going and who is he following?

7. What happens to the group of warriors the day after the raid?

8. What does Brennan notice as he is arriving at his house in Chapter 2?

9. What kind of school and where is it that Coyote Runs attended and who attended with him?

10. Who does Coyote Runs' group encounter as they are heading to their destination, and how do they handle that encounter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Canyons, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. What is the symbolism between Brennan's life and Coyote Runs' life?

2. With research define narrative contrivance and make a case for or against whether the fact it was a fourteen year old boy who runs found the skull and other contrivances, such as Brennan injuring his ankle just as Coyote Runs' ankle was injured from being shot.

3. With research, chose a group of people today who are experiencing the same type of genocide that the American Indian experienced in the 1800s. Discuss the differences and similarities between the two groups of people.

Essay Topic 3

Some aspects of the metaphysical is in Canyons such as Brennan hearing Coyote Runs voice in his head. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "metaphysical," with examples from research.

2. Discuss what elements of the metaphysical appear in the Canyons, e. g.: What elements of Canyons seem outside the five senses? Give examples. What things that happen cannot be proved by normal scientific methods?

3. What challenges are there in reading a novel that is based in metaphysics?

(see the answer keys)

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