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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. The music from what type of instrument draws Håkan toward the Indian lodges?

2. What kind of accident leads to a caravan boy's arm being severed?

3. Which of Håkan's five senses alerts him to the close proximity of "civilization" (107)?

4. What is Håkan's contribution to the number of dead pillagers at the end of the fight?

5. How "many mornings" after the caravan boy's accident does Jarvis announce the caravan will be taking a "cutoff" (125)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What item does Håkan attempt to procure from the people traveling in the caravan train and what is the outcome?

2. Which of the five senses does Håkan most strongly associate with the presence of humans?

3. Describe the way in which Håkan views the event he consistently calls "the killings" (130) throughout the narrative.

4. What act does Håkan describe as the kindest service anyone has ever done for him?

5. How is the theme of violence portrayed within the sheriff's interaction with Håkan?

6. During the period of time when Håkan travels with the help of a burro and a horse, how does he view his goal destination of New York City?

7. Why are the onlookers at the wagon accident at first unwilling to accept Håkan's help?

8. Håkan believes what action to be impossible in relation to the men killed by his own hand?

9. Describe the way in which Håkan first meets Asa.

10. What event leads to Håkan's first experience of an emotion "other than pain and guilt" (140) since the killings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of In the Distance and one of the novel's main messages. How does Diaz make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help them get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Explicate the theme of hope within In the Distance. What is Diaz’s message regarding hope and how do you know?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Asa's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Diaz in depicting Asa and include in your discussion the reasons that Diaz portrays Asa in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,232 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample