View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Brennan think a fire would be nice?

2. Who does Brennan decide to ask to learn more about the skull?

3. What is Brennan's mother wearing?

4. What does Brennan change as the result of Mr. Homesley's interest in him?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Where does Brennan leave the skull and why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Brennan is embarrassed when Mr. Homesley singles him out and asks him to search for a beetle in the grass. He always feels awkward and shy at school and feels he does not fit in well with the other students.

1. What do you think a student should do if she/he doesn't fit into the crowd at school? Use examples from Canyons and your life to support your answer.

2. What do you think makes a student stick out from others? Use examples from Canyons and your life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think children tend to pick on another who is different?

Essay Topic 3

Brennan returns home from the camping trip and finds himself obsessed with the skull. Brennan has many dreams that are not of experiences he has ever had, making Brennan wonder if perhaps there is some kind of connection between him and the skull.

1. There seems to be an implication here that the dead can talk to the living in dreams. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Brennan's reaction to the skull and the dreams is the way most 15-year-old boys would react? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Brennan's reaction to the skull and dreams is reasonable and believable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample