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. Where does Coyote Runs try to hide from the soldiers?

2. Why is Brennan having a difficult time sleeping?

3. What will Coyote Runs be doing when the warriors stop?

4. What is Coyote Runs supposed to do when the party returns?

5. What happens to Coyote Runs in the chaos after the raid?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why can't Brennan sleep and why does he dig a skull out of the dirt?

2. What horse is Coyote Runs riding after the raid and what are his hopes concerning it?

3. What does Coyote Runs learn he will be doing soon and which of his friends will be doing it also?

4. What kind of gun does Coyote Runs have and what will he be doing with the people in question #6?

5. In Chapter 3, where is Coyote Runs going and who is he following?

6. What does Bill tell the children about and what is the name of the canyon near them that relates to his story?

7. What does Brennan do immediately with skull and what is his guess about it?

8. Who does Coyote Runs' group encounter as they are heading to their destination, and how do they handle that encounter?

9. Why does Brennan work and for whom does he work?

10. What does Brennan Cole like to do and how does it help him?

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 Canyons 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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Canyons. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Canyons. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Canyons? Which theme in Canyons speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes Canyons interesting. Discuss the following characters:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Brennan. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Coyote Runs. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Brennan's mother. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 984 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample