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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. With what is Brennan obsessed with by Chapter 11?

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

3. What does Brennan ask Mr. Homesley to do?

4. How does Brennan feel about the dark as he is running?

5. What kind of environmental conditions d0 patrol reports write about?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brennan find out when he comes home in Chapter 21?

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

3. What film did thinking about the bullet hole remind Brennan of and why did he think of it?

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Brennan to Coyote Runs. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think their differences are mainly due to their era differences or culture?

2. Coyote Runs seems to be connected to Brennan. Do you think the connection would have occurred with anyone who happened to have found his skull? Why or why not?

3. Compare Coyote Runs' life with Brennan's life. How are they similar? How are they different? Use examples from Canyons to illustrate your comparison.

Essay Topic 2

Brennan learns that the skull was murdered at close contact with a large rifle, a shot that was clearly murder.

1. Defend or refute the above statement. Was the killing of Coyote Runs murder or the carrying out of a soldier's duties?

2. During the course of any war there are soldiers who kill those who are not armed combatants. These killings are considered a war crime. Most soldiers charged with war crimes use the defense of following orders. Discuss under what circumstances you believe a soldier should refuse a direct order.

3, Discuss the possible reasons the soldier had for killing Coyote Runs. The obvious one is prejudice but there may be many emotional, physical, cultural and mental causes.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Canyons.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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