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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 Ku'oosh tell Tayo about the world?

2. What does "she" say is the only cure in the four-line poem, "What She Said"?

3. What does Tayo do when he goes into the corn field one night?

4. Who bought the Ford coupe that Tayo’s friends pick him up in to go to the bar?

5. Why does Josiah not brand the cows when he first gets them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difference between Tayo’s life as a soldier and his life as a civilian on a reservation?

2. Who is Night Swan and how does she know Josiah?

3. How does Tayo prefer to sleep and how does Old Grandma and Robert feel around Tayo?

4. What does Tayo first do when he leaves Betonie?

5. Where does Tayo end up finding the cattle again with the man’s help?

6. Where does Tayo find the cattle?

7. Why does Tayo attack Emo?

8. What does Tayo tell Ku'oosh about the war and about the drought?

9. What does Tayo watch his friends do from a boulder above them?

10. What are Tayo’s symptoms after he leaves the hospital and how does a Japanese person help him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a contrast drawn between Native American spirituality and Christianity, and Christianity doesn't come off very well. Auntie is the only character in the story who represents the white man's religion, and her whole existence is focused on the reputation of the family.

Discuss the reasons the above statement may or may not be valid using illustrations from Auntie’s behavior that is derived from her religion and examples of the medicine man’s behavior that is derived from his spiritual beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes of the story is that white people are alien, they are not superior, as is commonly thought, and do not dictate cultural morés to the Native Americans.

Discuss the reasons the Indians might have viewed white people as alien or strange and how some of that viewpoint changed during the course of Ceremony. Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Ceremony help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Ceremony? Why or why not. Use examples from Ceremony and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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