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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. Who decides to go looking for Juan?

2. What does Juan say to Eileen?

3. At what age does Sean have his first sea voyage?

4. What does Sean think Wooston would not do?

5. Towards what does Juan lead the party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Juan say he must go with the group, and why must they learn the route?

2. What can be seen from the Mulkerin front porch?

3. Who is Zeke Wooston?

4. Who is Juan?

5. Where is Eileen raised and how does she come to be in California?

6. Where do Eileen and Juan go and what do they talk about as they travel?

7. What does Juan say about men following them and what is Sean's response?

8. How does Sean come to be a sailor?

9. Where do Sean, Monero, Eileen and Mariana go and why does Michael stay behind?

10. How does Eileen end up moving to Malibu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "The Californios" 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?

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "The Californios"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "The Californios" and include why you believe it is an example of foreshadowing. Include specific examples from the book.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Californios" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "The Californios" is successful as a western novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Louis L'Amour's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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