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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 Thomas list in a journal entry?

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

3. What is Thomas's last name?

4. What happens to Victor's guitar when he is playing?

5. Who does Thomas think should pay for their motel in Seattle?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Checkers end up getting injured at Thomas' house?

2. Why is Robert Johnson at the reservation, and what does Thomas say to him about Big Mom?

3. What does Thomas ask Chess and Checkers to do and what is their response?

4. What surprises Thomas about Victor and Junior's music, who comes to listen to the band rehearse, what kind of music do they expect and what does the band actually play?

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

6. How did Father Arnold become a priest and how did he feel about being sent to the reservation?

7. What do Thomas and the two sisters do the night they find his father in the yard?

8. What was the mix-up with the gig in Seattle?

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

10. How does the song "Reservation Blues" come about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Reservation Blues" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Reservation Blues".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Reservation Blues". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Reservation Blues". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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