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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. Reverend John Big Bluff Tosamah lives in the place of worship with his disciple _________.

2. ____________ recounted an incident in which Abel was almost killed by a tank during the war time.

3. What appeared shortly after Abel began to sin and call out during his time at the small house?

4. What was Abel listening to men do when his grandfather called him to see his dead brother?

5. What is the feast Father Olguin is going to be celebrating as he readies himself for the day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the creature that Tosamah's grandmother had described in a story about a man who set off to find food for his people.

2. What happened during the summer and the autumn rain retreats, according to the stories in the book?

3. What does Abel see as he is looking out over the rim of the Valle Grande?

4. What was the plan that Abel and Ben shared before Abel left the following day?

5. What did Francisco come upon as a young man, riding out on a buckskin colt and leading a hunting horse?

6. What happened on the night of the memory that Abel recalls about himself and about his brother, Vidal?

7. What did Abel do after realizing that his grandfather had died during a moment when Abel fell asleep?

8. What happens when Abel sings and calls out during one of the rain retreats, according to his memory?

9. What things did Ben offer to Abel on the first day they were introduced to each other?

10. What does Abel do when he sees the bird in the sack after it has been captured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the title of this book refers to a specific location, it seems to also refer to other themes which are addressed in the book.

Part 1: How does the idea of 'dawn' relate to the events which take place in this story?

Part 2: How does the idea of 'dawn' relate to Abel's life and experiences in the story?

Part 3: Why do you think M. Scott Momaday chose the title he did?

Essay Topic 2

During retreats, people would give offerings and pray at various holy places.

Part 1: Why do you think people felt the need to give offerings at the holy places?

Part 2: What might have been some of the offerings you would have left at the holy places?

Part 3: How do you think the offerings to the holy places help the offering person feel about themselves or their lives?

Essay Topic 3

It's obvious that Momaday cares deeply for the Native American culture and its preservation, which makes sense as he is also of Native American descent.

Part 1: How do you think Momaday portrays Native Americans? In a positive way or in a negative way?

Part 2: How do you think Momaday's own cultural background may have influenced his storytelling?

Part 3: Had the author not been Native American, how might the story have changed?

(see the answer keys)

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