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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. What did the bottom of the canyon look like to Brennan?

2. What kind of saddle does Magpie own?

3. What makes Coyote Runs slow as he goes into the canyon?

4. How did the Indians carry water for their horses?

5. What did Brennan think the cliffs were like?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the event in question #1 significant to Coyote Runs and how has he prepared for this event?

2. What does Brennan hear and what does he do with the skull?

3. How does the soldier find Coyote Runs and what happens when he finds Coyote Runs?

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

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

6. What does Brennan notice as he is arriving at his house in Chapter 2?

7. When does Coyote Runs' group travel and where do they stop to rest?

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

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

10. What does Coyote Runs believe about him and bullets and what does he do after catching up with the rest of the raiding party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Brennan to Coyote Runs. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think their differences are mainly due to their era differences or culture?

2. Coyote Runs seems to be connected to Brennan. Do you think the connection would have occurred with anyone who happened to have found his skull? Why or why not?

3. Compare Coyote Runs' life with Brennan's life. How are they similar? How are they different? Use examples from Canyons to illustrate your comparison.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. What is the symbolism between Brennan's life and Coyote Runs' life?

2. With research define narrative contrivance and make a case for or against whether the fact it was a fourteen year old boy who runs found the skull and other contrivances, such as Brennan injuring his ankle just as Coyote Runs' ankle was injured from being shot.

3. With research, chose a group of people today who are experiencing the same type of genocide that the American Indian experienced in the 1800s. Discuss the differences and similarities between the two groups of people.

(see the answer keys)

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