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. What does Darlene suggest that Dave do?

2. Why does Dave refuse to see Dixie Lee?

3. What does Dave's father tell Dave to do?

4. Who does Dave visit the morning after Darlene's death?

5. Who does Dave ask to call the cops?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Coroner tell Dave and how does Dave know Darlene was probably raped before being murdered?

2. What happens when Dave picks up Alafair at school and do you think the teacher and principal are justified in their response?

3. How is Dave's lawyer feeling about Dave's case and why?

4. What happens when Darlene comes over to Dave's home and what is the outcome?

5. Why do you think Darlene goes over and takes care of Dave when he is ill?

6. Why do you think Darlene's does not know much about the American Indian Movement, one of the most controversial and publicized Indian organizations, yet her last name (American Horse) suggests she is Native American?

7. What does Dave learn about Mapes and what does this information tell the reader about the man?

8. What event foreshadows a future event in the book?

9. Why does Dave go to the courthouse and what is the result?

10. Why is Dave rushing to Cletus' home and what does he find?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dixie Lee is involved in a fatal accident while driving and drinking in which a child is killed. Discuss one of the following:

1. Do you think it is just to send Dixie Lee to prison for the reason stated above? What if it is the first DUI? The third?

2. Obviously Dixie Lee does not rehabilitate in prison as he is still drinking. Is prison a place for rehabilitation? If not, should it be? If so, how does it rehabilitate people? Explain fully with examples.

3. If a loved one (either friend, relative, or romantic partner) drinks and drives impaired and kills a child, would you fight to keep that person out of prison? Why or why not? Explain fully with examples.

Essay Topic 2

It is obvious Dave dearly loves Alafair, his daughter, but at times, he seems to make decisions that are perhaps not in her best interest. Discuss the following:

1. Dave goes to the Sheriff who cannot help Dave when Dave first receives the letter with the implied threat against Alafair. Because the Sheriff says he cannot help Dave, does this mean it's the wises thing to do to beat up these men when getting thrown in jail will perhaps leave Alafair vulnerable?

2. Is it wise for Dave to given in to Alafair's pleading and take her with him to Montana? Would it have been more harmful to be separated from her father when her mother's death is still not in the too-distant past?

3. Is there anything Dave could have/should have done differently concerning Alafair throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

The two Native American murder victims are members of an organization called AIM (American Indian movement). Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly research and analyze AIM: include its goals, activities and effectiveness at obtaining its goals.

2. Analyze the incidents that took place at Wounded Knee in 1890 and 1973. How is AIM involved in the later incident? Was justice served?

3. Why is Clayton Desmarteau and his cousin killed? Does it have anything to do with their AIM activities? Explain fully. Were the two Native Americans justified in opposing Dio, Mapes and Vidrine?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,218 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample