View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Chee manage to get Cowboy Dashee?

2. Why does Chandler not grasp the branch with both hands to save himself?

3. What is prohibited in the Park Service boundaries?

4. What does Bernie demand?

5. What does she decide about Joanna and Chandler?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the old Hopi woman warns Bernie that she shouldn't be there, the woman then warms up to her; why do you think this is?

2. In Chapter 18, the Arizona death penalty is again mentioned as a reason to make a murder look accidental; does this seem like something a criminal would really be thinking?

3. Do you see any difference between Chandler and Joanna at this point; after all, she agrees to a "partnership" with him?

4. What is incongruous in Chapter 26 that conflicts with something narrated in Chapter 14?

5. What reveals Bernie's training as a tribal police woman?

6. What seems incongruous about Bernie avoiding looking at the shaman?

7. What seems surprising in this story at this point in the book?

8. What theme seems to come to fruition in this chapter?

9. What do you think Joanna's decision to continue down to the canyon floor indicates?

10. Why do you think Cowboy Dashee is part of this story since it seems he did not contribute much in previous chapters and he is now out of the story because of his ankle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 8, Billy Tuve is asked about his Kiva initiation rites, which he describes in the Hopi language to the other Hopi who is there, Cowboy Dashee, though even Cowboy cannot hear the entire story since he is of a different Kiva from Billy. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research some common Native American rites or initiation ceremonies and describe them and give your thoughts about them.

2. What do you think is the purpose of secret societies which have initiation rites for those who want to be a part of the society? (consider such groups as the Free masons, Eastern Star, etc.). Describe one such group, their purpose, and how one becomes a member. Would you consider joining a secret society? Why?

3. How have secret societies influenced the way of life in the United States? (Consider such groups as the KKK, Black Panthers, the Communist party, etc.)

Essay Topic 2

Bernadette Manuelito, or Bernie, for short is first introduced in this chapter and later evolves to be a major figure in the story. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Describe Bernie fully, including physical description and personality traits. Comb through the book looking for all the information you can find about her.

2. In chapter 28, when Bernie is reassuring Joanna, Bernie says that she is a policewoman; however, Bernie is no longer working as a cop. Do you think this statement foreshadows Bernie going back to work for the tribal police? What do you think this statement says about how Bernie sees herself?

3. Judging from Bernie's actions throughout the story, how good a policewoman do you think she was? Give examples to support your stance.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 10, Sherman and Chandler discuss the details of the assignment from Plymale and decide that at the very least, Billy Tuve will have to be murdered, but it will have to be made to look like an accident because of the Arizona death penalty laws. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is the death penalty as it exists in the United States? Do all states have the same laws? What are the death penalty laws at the present in Arizona and New Mexico? Is the death penalty administered fairly without regard to race, sex, religion, etc.?

2. Is the death penalty a true deterrent to murder? Why or why not? Is the murder rate per capita lower in the states that have and use the death penalty regularly? Would you be willing to inject, shoot, or electrocute someone yourself if they have received the death penalty?

3. How many people who have been executed under the laws of the death penalty have later been proven to be innocent? Does this change your opinion of the death penalty? What are some alternatives to the death penalty?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,522 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample