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. Why does Sean wake Mariana?

2. Why does Sean become jealous?

3. Why does Wooston want to take Russell away?

4. Who tells Sean that someone wants to speak with Sean?

5. How much gold does Juan say there is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Russell wakes in the night, and what does he do in the morning?

2. What is the situation at the ranch when Eileen and the others arrive back there?

3. Who are the men that Sean meets who Montero sends to help the Mulkerin family?

4. What noises do Wooston's men hear and why do they decide to wait until morning to confront Sean's group?

5. What is Russell's appearance and explanation when he arrives at the fandango?

6. Why does Sean waken Mariana while they are on the trail and what does he tell her?

7. What do the voices say about Russell?

8. What is Los Angeles like at the time of the setting of "The Californios"?

9. Why does Francisco try to convince Russell of and what is Russell's response?

10. What does Eileen decide in order to "buy" time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "The Californios", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (xposition, 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 of "The Californios". (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 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of how Machado is on somewhat friendly terms with Sean Mulkerin by the end of the book. What other situations contain irony in "The Californios"?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "The Californios:. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "The Californios" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Californios", questions that most readers may want to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the L'Amour's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss L'Amours' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of L'Amour and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,109 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample