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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 Brennan begin to have in Chapter 11?

2. Where does Brennan meet Dr. Tibbets?

3. Why does Brennan stay on the road when running near Fort Bliss?

4. About what time in the morning does Brennan finally find the report about Coyote Runs?

5. What does Mr. Homesley say about Brennan going into the canyon alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Brennan leave the skull and why?

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

3. What was in a letter from a school Brennan finds?

4. Why does Brennan think the skull belonged to a young person?

5. Where does Brennan hide the skull in his house?

6. What dream did Brennan have in Chapter 11 about an eagle?

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

8. Where is Brennan by morning and what does he find there?

9. 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?

10. What happens as Brennan climbs some rocks and what is his response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some aspects of the metaphysical is in Canyons such as Brennan hearing Coyote Runs voice in his head. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "metaphysical," with examples from research.

2. Discuss what elements of the metaphysical appear in the Canyons, e. g.: What elements of Canyons seem outside the five senses? Give examples. What things that happen cannot be proved by normal scientific methods?

3. What challenges are there in reading a novel that is based in metaphysics?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Brennan becomes friends with Mr. Homesley, his biology teacher. This friendship changes Brennan's life.

1. Discuss some of the changes that occur as a direct result of Brennan and Mr. Homesley's friendship. Use examples from the book to support your discussion.

2. Based on the character of Mr. Homesley discuss what kind of a teacher he is and whether he is a typical teacher. Use examples from the book to support your discussion.

3. Discuss Brennan's response to Mr. Homesley in relation to the fact of Brennan not knowing his father. Use examples from the book to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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