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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 myth do the surreal drawings represent that Chee studies in Highhawk's office?

2. How does Fleck amuse himself?

3. Who does Fleck consider asking for money?

4. Who goes with Leaphorn to Union Station?

5. Who is at Highhawk's townhouse when Chee and Leaphorn arrive?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Fleck's childhood lesson serve him while he is in prison and as a hired killer?

2. What does the recording found with Highhawk reveal?

3. What is the possible history of the Inca mask of the god Viracocha?

4. What does Fleck read in the newspaper about Cardona and about the man Fleck murders in the desert?

5. What does Chee conclude about the Yeibichai mask and how does he come to that conclusion?

6. What do Chee, Leaphorn and Captain Rodney find in the bin that contains artifacts from Borneo?

7. With whom does Chee have breakfast and what amazes Chee?

8. What is Fleck's association with Eddy Elkins and why does Fleck think of him in this chapter?

9. Who does Fleck follow to the Smithsonian?

10. What does the man who was the conductor on the Amtrak train which stopped in the desert in New Mexico tell Joe Leaphorn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Talking God, like most novels in the detective genre involves police officers and police work. Discuss the following:

1. What are the characteristics of an effective police officer? Does Leaphorn perform well as a police officer? What about Chee? Kennedy?

2. What additional characteristics does a police detective need versus a policeman on the beat?

3. Discuss the clash between the FBI and the police. Should more cooperation take place between the agencies? Why do you think the FBI is often portrayed in an uncomplimentary light in police/detective novels? How does Hillerman portray the FBI?

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 Talking God, 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 (They 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

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Talking God based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Talking God is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Talking God is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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