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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. To where does Chess say she is thinking of moving?

2. What type of men does Checkers always date?

3. Why did Junior start to drink?

4. What does Junior dream about a car when he was young?

5. What story does Thomas tell when they are talking about Christianity and the Indians?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens at a rest stop on the way to Seattle?

2. What does Thomas do after the show at Flathead?

3. What does Thomas ask Chess and Checkers to do and what is their response?

4. What does David Walks Along find when he returns to his office from the band rehearsal and what does the band do when they hear his news?

5. What does Thomas ask Chess about her church, what is her response and what story does he tell that starts her crying?

6. What is Victor doing while the band is waiting for their turn in the the battle of the bands?

7. What does Victor dream about that involves his mother and his stepfather?

8. Why can't Chess sleep in the van due to Junior?

9. What happens with the guitar and Thomas the night he plays for Victor and Junior?

10. What do Thomas and Chess do when Victor and Junior are sleeping in the van?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Reservation Blues".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Reservation Blues". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Reservation Blues". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Although "Reservation Blues" did not end on a happy note, many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels do end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Reservation Blues" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Reservation Blues" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. How does the ending of Reservation Blues affect your perception of whether it is a good book or not? Would you have rather seen a more positive ending? Why do you think the author ended the book on a somewhat negative note?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Reservation Blues" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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