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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. How does Oliver Seccumbe plan to get a large piece of land?

2. In Chapter 8, what does John Skimmerhorn's group lose during their trip across the desert?

3. How many horses does Levi attach to the Conestoga wagon?

4. How does John Skimmerhorn meet Nacho?

5. What is Skimmerhorn blamed for in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Levi feel about selling the horses during his trip west?

2. Why does Levi decide to turn around and go back east?

3. What does John Skimmerhorn do when he meets up with Lost Eagle's tribe in Chapter 8?

4. Why does John Skimmerhorn help plan Oliver's trip to Texas?

5. How is Jacques described in Chapter 5?

6. Why does Poteet take charge in hiring a team in Chapter 8?

7. How does Skimmerhorn respond to the Native American starvation?

8. In Chapter 1, what task is Dr. Lewis Vernor asked to do?

9. What does Levi do when he finds a group of emigrants heading back east?

10. In Chapter 4, what happens after Lame Beaver kills the two chiefs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze how the descriptions of Native American customs and beliefs are used as symbolic representations of the white man's world.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the theme of science and scientific development in "Centennial." What role does science play in this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the symbolism of gold in this novel.

(see the answer keys)

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