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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. Where do Harley and Tayo pick up a ride after they leave the spring?

2. Out of what did the old male Indians whittle toothpicks?

3. Why do the two cowboys chasing Tayo leave not take him back to their boss?

4. How old is Tayo when his mother leaves him?

5. Why does Auntie always watch Tayo more closely than Rocky when they were growing up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the woman tell Tayo when she sees him again and what is his response?

2. Of what does Tayo dream as he and Robert prepare for winter? What does Tayo decide to do because of the dreams?

3. How is Tayo when the war is over?

4. Where does Tayo find the cattle?

5. What does Tayo do when his friends leave in the morning what does he come to realize?

6. Why does Tayo attack Emo?

7. How does Josiah’s sister feel about Night Swan?

8. Why do the two ranch hands leave Tayo alone?

9. What happens when Tayo is knocked unconscious and then wakes?

10. How are the cattle branded and what does Josiah do about that?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the various sexual encounters in the story, we see that Indian attitudes about morality and behavior that are different from that of the white culture.

Compare and contrast the differences between Indian and white culture’s attitudes towards morality and behavior. Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Ceremony belongs to the Native American fiction genre.

Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the Native American fiction genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to a novel? What do you think is the difference between a Native American fiction and a science fiction novel or a mystery?

Essay Topic 3

There is a contrast drawn between Native American spirituality and Christianity, and Christianity doesn't come off very well. Auntie is the only character in the story who represents the white man's religion, and her whole existence is focused on the reputation of the family.

Discuss the reasons the above statement may or may not be valid using illustrations from Auntie’s behavior that is derived from her religion and examples of the medicine man’s behavior that is derived from his spiritual beliefs.

(see the answer keys)

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