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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What book title does Mary describe in Chapter 19: "My Sister Sends Me a Letter"?
2. Who comes to the school to pick Junior up after he learns of the death of his sister in Chapter 27: "Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses"?
3. What musical instrument does Arnold Spirit, Sr. take with him when his family goes to spend the day at the cemetery in Chapter 29: "Remembering"?
4. What is the name of the white girl that Gordy describes disappearing in Mexico last summer in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?
5. Who is the "Russian dude" that Gordy gives Junior a book by in Chapter 27: "Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses"?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Junior feel after the winning game in Chapter 25: "In Like a Lion"?
2. Where is Junior in the memory that he describes with Rowdy in Chapter 30: "Talking About Turtles"? What do they discuss?
3. How does Junior analyze the exchange that he and Rowdy have shared in Chapter 26: "Rowdy and I Have a Serious Discussion about Basketball"?
4. How are the deaths of Eugene and Bobby described in Chapter 24: "Valentine Heart"?
5. What are Junior's chances of making the Reardan basketball team in Chapter 20: "Reindeer Games"? How does Junior do?
6. Describe the drawing that comprises Chapter 28: "My Final Freshman Year Report Card." What imagery appears in the illustration?
7. How does Mary describe her circumstances in her letter to Junior in Chapter 19: "My Sister Sends Me a Letter"?
8. How would you describe Junior's circumstances during Christmas in Chapter 21: "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"?
9. Why is Junior particularly touched by his father's Christmas gift in Chapter 21: "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"?
10. What communication takes place between Junior and Rowdy in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the themes of heritage, custom, and identity in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. In what ways are Junior’s concepts of identity tied to his heritage and customs of his people? How does Junior feel that he stands apart from others in his community in regard to identity? How do you relate to Junior’s struggle with these concepts?
Essay Topic 2
Discuss Junior’s actions, objectives, and obstacles in his decision to transfer to Reardan High School. What is Junior’s objective in this action? What obstacles does Junior face from within himself, within the Reservation, and from outside the Reservation? How does he face these obstacles?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss the relationship Junior has with his father in the novel. How has Junior’s relationship with Arnold Sr. evolved from the beginning of the story? Author Sherman Alexie has stated in interviews that some aspects of this novel are autobiographical, including the fact that Alexie’s father was an alcoholic. How did this impact Alexie and his works?
This section contains 1,044 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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