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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. What does Brennan change as the result of Mr. Homesley's interest in him?

2. Why does Brennan think he will be able to get across the desert?

3. What kind of officials are standing with Brennan's mother?

4. How does Brennan leave his house?

5. What does Brennan do with the skull to check out his theory on it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brennan learn about the probable age of the person to whom the skull belongs?

2. What happens as Brennan climbs some rocks and what is his response?

3. What does Brennan read that he thinks may be relevant to the skull?

4. Where does Brennan hide the skull in his house?

5. What reason comes to Brennan when he thinks about keeping the skull?

6. Why does Brennan think the skull belonged to a young person?

7. What does Brennan find out when he comes home in Chapter 21?

8. What does Mr. Homesley say about the second source of information?

9. What happens when Brennan wants to stop for the night and what does he learn about snakes?

10. Why does Brennan talk to Mr. Homesley about the skull?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Canyons. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Canyons. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Canyons? Which theme in Canyons speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Coyote Runs is shot and killed by a white soldier who jokes as he shoots a fourteen-year-old boy in the head. Discuss the following:

1. How do the circumstances demonstrate the tendency of people to dehumanize an enemy? Use examples from Canyons and from other sources to support your answer.

2. Describe ways in which prejudice contributed to Coyote Runs' death.

3. Discuss the ways in which Coyote Runs thoughts demonstrated his prejudice against white people.

(see the answer keys)

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