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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 get to eat at a convenience store?

2. Why do the newspapers in the boxes look old to Brennan?

3. Where did Brennan run Saturday morning Chapter 12?

4. Where does Brennan meet Dr. Tibbets?

5. What does Brennan feel the first time he listens to classical music at Mr. Homesley's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does Brennan head and what does he do on his way out of town?

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

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

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

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

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

8. What reason comes to Brennan when he thinks about keeping the skull?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Some aspects of the metaphysical is in Canyons such as Brennan hearing Coyote Runs voice in his head. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "metaphysical," with examples from research.

2. Discuss what elements of the metaphysical appear in the Canyons, e. g.: What elements of Canyons seem outside the five senses? Give examples. What things that happen cannot be proved by normal scientific methods?

3. What challenges are there in reading a novel that is based in metaphysics?

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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