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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 happens to Set after Bent dies?

2. What does Billy the Kid bring to Sitting Bear?

3. Where does Worcester Meat go after he has been sick for sixteen days?

4. Why does Lola Bourne think she cannot help Set?

5. Who helps Milo Mottledmare transport Worcester Meat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the boy that Set sees and hears in the garden of his old house?

2. In his old age, what is the last thing that the shield maker dreams? Why is this dream of his significant?

3. How does Set respond to the hospital staff's diagnosis and explanations of his condition?

4. Grey closes one calendar and opens another in Chapter Eleven of Book Two. What do these different calendars represent?

5. For what does Grey thank Lola Bourne?

6. Why does Dr. Merriman's knowledge of folklore, witchcraft, and medical mythology fail to impress Set?

7. What does Grey see of Set beyond his physical appearance?

8. As Grey changes from a girl to a woman, how does Set's attitude toward her change?

9. How does Worcester Meat feel when he dies?

10. What does Set mean when he tells Lela that the bear stands against him, and that he is the bear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the differences in communication styles between Native Americans as viewed in this story and members of the mainstream culture. Find examples in the story to demonstrate cultural differences in communication.

Essay Topic 2

Every author has a philosophical basis as well as a cultural one for the stories that he chooses to tell. Based on this story, examine what you think are Momaday's deeply-held beliefs about what is important in life. Justify your opinion with quotations and examples from the story.

Essay Topic 3

The book begins with a section called "Planes," then a section called "Lines," then "Shapes," and ultimately, "Shadows." What do you think this geometrical view of the world represents? Use quotations from the story to support your point of view.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample