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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. Where does Captain Rodney meet Leaphorn?

2. Who does Leaphorn see inside apartment 3?

3. What myth do the surreal drawings represent that Chee studies in Highhawk's office?

4. About whom does Leaphorn ask his interrogators?

5. Who does the reader learn is "The Client"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the conversation between Fleck and the Client and Fleck's reaction afterward.

2. How does Fleck's childhood lesson serve him while he is in prison and as a hired killer?

3. With whom does Chee have breakfast and what amazes Chee?

4. Describe the conversation between Leroy and Delmar Fleck.

5. What does Jim Chee find in Highhawk's office and what does he think of it?

6. What happens while Highhawk and Chee are sitting in Highhawk's office and what does Chee do?

7. Besides a Yeibichai mask, what else does Chee find of interest in Highhawk's office?

8. Why do Chee and Highhawk agree to meet at the museum?

9. With whom do Chee and Leaphorn meet and what does Chee tell the person?

10. How does Leaphorn find an address for the victim that was dumped in the desert?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Talking God belongs to the detective/crime/mystery genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the detective/crime/mystery genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a suspense novel and a murder mystery?

4. Many in the world of academe do not see mystery as a serious genre, that its primary purpose is entertainment and not "worthy" of being studied by serious students of literature? Respond to that idea.

Essay Topic 2

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 Talking God, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, 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 (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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Joe Leaphorn, using only his mind, "out detects" the FBI, with its large budget and state-of-the-art equipment.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in Talking God.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in Talking God.

(see the answer keys)

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