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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. According to prison officials, who was depositing extra money into the prisoner's canteen account?

2. When Chee leaves a note where the suitcases are buried, what does he put his note in?

3. According to West's friend, what was Johnson's purpose in visiting West?

4. Where is the diner located?

5. What helps Chee focus his concentration efforts?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the one thing that the caller does not specify to Gaines during the phone call?

2. How does Chee respond when Dashee asks Chee directly if Chee found the car?

3. According to Chee's conversation with the old Hopi, what would Chee do if he wanted to help the guardian of the shrine?

4. When Chee and Musket's mother introduce themselves, what information do they share?

5. When Dashee meets Chee on U.S. 160, what does Chee tell Dashee?

6. As Chee flees from his trailer where two men were waiting for him, what does Chee wonder about in regard to the scheduled exchange?

7. Before the two men part, why does Dashee ask Chee what size boots Chee wears?

8. As Chee flees from his trailer where two men were waiting for him, whom does Chee think the two men may have been?

9. How does Mr. Armijo describe the person that Chee goes to the prison to find out about?

10. While Chee and Dashee are meeting with the old Hopi, why is Dashee incredulous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hillerman uses this story to examine the role that truth plays in our daily lives. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when the truth is distorted or hidden? What did you learn from the author's discussion on truth? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are several characters introduced in the story who do not survive until the end of the story. Identify at least three people killed as the novel progresses. Compare and contrast each of these deaths, being sure to indicate which character died, how the character died, who was responsible for the character's death, and what impact on the overall plot the character's death had. What could have--or should have--been learned from each of these deaths by the other characters?

Essay Topic 3

There is no doubt that Miss Pauling is greatly affected by the events the death of her brother. Discuss how her brother's death and the events thereafter affect not only Miss Pauling's worldview, but also her determination to find her brother's killer. How do Miss Pauling's experiences affect her mental state, her susceptibility to being used by Gaines, and her willingness to help Chee?

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