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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. Why does Mr. Homesley have so much electronic equipment in his house?

2. What do the soldiers have to do sometimes to drink?

3. Why does Brennan think he will be able to get across the desert?

4. From what band of Apaches was Coyote Runs?

5. What does Brennan fear will happen to the skull if the police get it?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Brennan read that he thinks may be relevant to the skull?

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

4. What does Brennan find deep in the canyon and what does he do?

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

6. What does Brennan do when he first arrives at his destination and what is he told? What is his response?

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

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

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

10. What does Brennan learn about the probable age of the person to whom the skull belongs?

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

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 3

Brennan's mother has found the skull and called the police, taking the power of choice out of Brennan's hands. Brennan runs away and takes the skull back to the canyon.

1. Why do you think Brennan's mother called the police? Do you think this was a good decision on her part? Why or why not?

2. The above statement says that the call to the police took away Brennan's power of choice. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Brennan was right to run away? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample