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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 kind of music does the band play?

2. Where does the band perform for their second performance?

3. How are the newspaper reviews of the band?

4. How do Betty and Veronica earn a living?

5. What does Thomas want to do with Chess?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Chess ask Thomas about religion and how does Thomas respond?

2. How did Victor and Junior begin drinking and what is Thomas's drinking history?

3. What happens when the band first arrives at Flathead Reservation and what happens about time there?

4. What happens with the guitar and Thomas the night he plays for Victor and Junior?

5. What happens to the band on the way to a venue not on an Indian Reservation and what surprises the band about the incident?

6. How does the band end up getting a name?

7. What does David Walks Along find when he returns to his office from the band rehearsal and what does the band do when they hear his news?

8. What does the man who Thomas meets at an intersection on the reservation first say to Thomas?

9. What does Checkers tell Father Arnold when she visits him?

10. What happens at a rest stop on the way to Seattle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Reservation Blues". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Reservation Blues". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Reservation Blues". Consider not only Junior's suicide but the death of the band's dreams and Father Arnold leaving the priesthood.

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 "Reservation Blues", 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 in "Reservation Blues". (The subplots 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

Junior's dream is horrific in its detail. Wright and Sheridan were actual historical figures involved in the forcing of Native Americans onto reservations. While Wright might seem more compassionate to the Native American viewpoint, Sheridan seems to have no such weakness.

1. Do you think a person might be able to get insight into his/her life through a dream? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think is the symbolism of Wright and Sheridan in the book? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. What type of conflicts might Wright have had if he felt compassion for the very people he help herd onto reservations? What types of emotional and mental conflicts could he have experienced? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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