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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. Under what name does Colton Wolf rent the vehicle he gets once he leaves his trailer?

2. During her second year at the lab, what did the bacteriologist begin bringing in with her?

3. According to rumor, what was Sena's mother planning to leave to Sena's older brother?

4. What is the name of Sena's brother killed in the explosion?

5. As Chee takes Mary home, whose truck is still parked in the auction's parking lot?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chee, why do Navajos lack sentimentality about corpses?

2. Even though Chee is curious about why Rosemary has requested his presence at her house, Chee does not ask her any questions. Why not?

3. After Rosemary questions Chee on how well he knows Navajo "religion," what does Rosemary ask if Chee knows anything about?

4. Describe the second person who illegally parks the car in the parking lot while the bacteriologist watches from her window.

5. According to what Chee learns while visiting his predecessor, how did the People of Darkness get their name?

6. Why were the employees of the oil company going to "shoot" the oil well?

7. According to what Charley tells Chee, what is contained in the missing box?

8. As the reader is first introduced to Jim Chee, why does Jim Chee not have his winter coat with him?

9. What is the malpais?

10. Why does the Vines' house puzzle Jim Chee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several characters introduced in the story who do not survive the end of the story. Identify at least three people killed as the novel progresses. Compare and contrast each of these deaths, being sure to indicate which character died, how the character died, who was responsible for the character's death, and what effect on the overall plot the character's death had. What could have - or should have - been learned from each of these deaths by the other characters?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Jim Chee, Henry Becenti, Gordo Sena, and B.J. Vines.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast B.J. Vines and Gordo Sena.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the role that justice plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by the concept of justice - both positively and negatively?

(see the answer keys)

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