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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 think drove the west forward?

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

3. What do the soldiers report occurred before Coyote Runs was killed?

4. To what did Brennan's activities with Mr. Homeley lead?

5. What does Mr. Homesley say about God and beetles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Homesley say about the second source of information?

2. Where does Brennan leave the skull and why?

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

4. What incident with Mr. Homesley does Brennan recall when he thinks of talking to him about the skull?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Brennan worries about his mother being hurt by the men in her life.

1. With research, define the term, co-dependent and discuss whether the term could be applied to Brennan in relation to his mother.

2. Do you think a fourteen-year-old boy would notice some of his mother's feelings Brennan seems to understand in this book? Why or why not?

3. In relation to Brennan and his mother, does Brennan seem to be more the adult than his mother? Why or why not? Use examples from Canyons to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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