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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 does Dr. Tibbets look like?

2. How does Brennan think he will be able to run in the desert?

3. What does Brennan tell Homesley when Homesley guesses Brennan found some information?

4. Where did Brennan run Saturday morning Chapter 12?

5. What is the size of the bullet hole in the forehead of the skull?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brennan pass in the canyon and what does he know?

2. Where does Brennan leave the skull and why?

3. What was written in most of the reports in the boxes?

4. What happens when Brennan wants to stop for the night and what does he learn about snakes?

5. What does Brennan learn about the probable cause of death?

6. What kind of relationship do Brennan and Mr. Homesley end up having?

7. What is suggested about why the person to whom the skull belongs was killed and what suggestion is made for Brennan to find more information?

8. What does the commander answer in response to the letter in question #49? What does Brennan conclude from this report?

9. Why does Brennan talk to Mr. Homesley about the skull?

10. What does Brennan's mother tell him she has done and what is his response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Canyons based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Canyons is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the fact that Canyons has paranormal incidences in it changes whether it is a successful novel especially along the lines of whether it is believable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Canyons, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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