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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. How long does it take for Mr. Homesley's information to arrive?

2. What does Brennan hear in the place in question #121?

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

4. What does the voice in Brennan's head tell him to do for water?

5. What does Amelia Gephart ask the commanding officer to tell her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. In Chapter 12, describe what Brennan is thinking when he contemplates the bullet hole in the skull.

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

10. Where does Brennan meet Mr. Homesley, who do they see there and what does that person tell them about?

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

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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