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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. Why might the gold not be the answer to Eileen's predicament about the ranch house?

2. Why is the merchant at the local store startled?

3. Where does Sean tell Mariana to ride if Machado's men find them?

4. In whom does Sean have faith to help him with Machado's men?

5. Who does Sean not see?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Russell and Francisco doing in the mountains, and why does Francisco anger Russell?

2. Who arrives at the party unexpectedly and how does he make Sean jealous?

3. What happens that makes Russell leave the cave?

4. What is the situation at the ranch when Eileen and the others arrive back there?

5. What do the voices say about Russell?

6. What does Eileen decide in order to "buy" time?

7. What does Silva tell Wooston that angers Wooston, and what concerns Machado and Russell?

8. Who are the men that Sean meets who Montero sends to help the Mulkerin family?

9. What happens when Eileen goes to wake up Juan?

10. Why does Francisco try to convince Russell of and what is Russell's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "The Californios", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (xposition, 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 of "The Californios". (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 2

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 3

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "The Californios" is successful as a western novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Louis L'Amour's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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