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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 is the name of the canyon where Bill says they are camping?

2. What does Brennan think about how his mother talks?

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

4. What does the event in question #1 mark for Coyote Runs?

5. What did Coyote Runs' people call the white soldiers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of school and where is it that Coyote Runs attended and who attended with him?

2. What is Coyote Runs told to do on the raid?

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

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

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

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

7. Why is Brennan annoyed while riding in the van? How does he feel about being there?

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

9. What was the school Coyote Runs' attended suppose to do for him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coyote Runs becomes afraid when Magpie is shot down. All of a sudden for him death is possible and life is uncertain.

1. Why do you think Coyote Runs is alarmed at the uncertainty of life? Use examples from Canyons to support your answer.

2. Have you ever felt that life was scary because it was uncertain? Why or why not?

3. What are some of the things you think are absolutely certain about life and what are some that you think are completely uncertain?

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

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Canyons help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Canyons? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Canyons to discuss and compare Brennan's response to how you think you would respond.

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