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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. Where does Brennan leave Coyote Runs' skull?

2. What interferes with Brennan's time with Mr. Homesley during the summer?

3. What do the soldiers have to do sometimes to drink?

4. What kind of environmental conditions d0 patrol reports write about?

5. How does Brennan leave his house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What film did thinking about the bullet hole remind Brennan of and why did he think of it?

4. What does Brennan learn about the probable cause of death?

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

6. What dream did Brennan have in Chapter 11 about an eagle?

7. Where is Brennan by morning and what does he find there?

8. In Chapter 12, describe what Brennan is thinking when he contemplates the bullet hole in the skull.

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

10. Where does Brennan leave the skull and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coyote Runs becomes afraid when Magpie is shot down. All of a sudden for him death is possible and life is uncertain.

1. Why do you think Coyote Runs is alarmed at the uncertainty of life? Use examples from Canyons to support your answer.

2. Have you ever felt that life was scary because it was uncertain? Why or why not?

3. What are some of the things you think are absolutely certain about life and what are some that you think are completely uncertain?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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