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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 want to do with Chess?

2. To where does Chess say she is thinking of moving?

3. With whom is Victor performing at the market?

4. What does David find out about his nephew, Michael?

5. What do the men in Victor's nightmare wear?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lester end up with a broken nose during the game with the police?

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

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

4. What does Thomas do with the guitar Johnson left in his van and what do Victor and Junior say to Thomas about the guitar? What do they do to the guitar?

5. What do Thomas, Victor and Junior decide to do when Victor and Junior come over to Thomas' house?

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

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

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

9. 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?

10. What does Thomas ask Chess about her church, what is her response and what story does he tell that starts her crying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The characters Betty and Veronica are darkly comical. They believe that Native Americans have some sort of spiritual insight or wisdom. In this way they view Native Americans as stereotypes and fail to appreciate the individual. It is ironic that the two have the names Betty and Veronica, the same names as two characters from a famous comic book series. Though ironic, in this way Betty and Veronica are stereotypes of white people who have unrealistic views of Native Americans.

1. The belief that Native Americans have special insight or wisdom is prevalent in America. Explain how this perception is a type of labeling and stereotyping. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. How does putting labels on a group of individuals get in the way of knowing those persons as individuals? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Explain the irony of Betty and Veronica stereotyping Native Americans. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The relationship between Thomas and his tormentors Victor and Junior is familiar and conditioned over time. Clearly these men have known each other since childhood and they continue to act the same way toward each other as they did as children. Victor and Junior are the oppressors, and Thomas is the passive victim.

1. Why do you think it is difficult to change our relationship with a person we have known for many years? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the reasons a bully victimizes others? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Thomas remains passive when he is bullied by Victor and Junior? Look at Thomas, not only in the present, but also the clues one is given from his childhood. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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