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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 is Tayo’s mother doing before he is born that his Auntie sees?

2. What does Tayo tell Ku'oosh about Tayo’s experience in the war?

3. What has Rocky promised to buy Old Grandma with his army pay?

4. Why did the sergeant from Isleta get a bronze star in the war?

5. Who is Descheeny married to when he brings a Mexican girl to his home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Rocky different from Tayo and what does Rocky want to do when he is an adult?

2. What does Ku'oosh say to Tayo after Tayo talks to Ku'oosh and what does Ku'oosh leave Tayo? What is Tayo’s response?

3. How does Tayo start herding the cattle?

4. What does the herd of cattle do as soon as they are unloaded and what does Josiah tell Tayo about their behavior?

5. What does Josiah tell Tayo about the spring and how does Tayo feel about the story?

6. How does Rocky and Auntie feel about Josiah’s decision on how to take care of the cattle?

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

8. Where is Tayo when his friends find him and what does Tayo tell himself about them?

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

10. What does Betonie tell Tayo about why Tayo saw Indian faces in the Japanese?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tayo's friends are bewitched and dangerous. He must separate himself from them, and his attempts to do so almost get him killed. They cannot deal with his increasing understanding, so they must kill him.

Discuss why Tayo’s friends are threatened by Tayo’s continual walk towards mental health and why his change might make them feel threatened. Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about what they know, and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting.

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Leslie Marmon Silko. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Silko's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Silko's probable agenda concerning that idea.

Essay Topic 3

There are many elements of effective psychotherapy in the counseling that Tayo receives from both Ku'oosh and Betonie. They guide him gently through a recounting, re-examination and recasting of all the demons that possess him.

Discuss reasons Tayo talking about his experiences might help him come to terms with what he has been through. Include a discussion of what the above statement might mean by “Tayo’s demons.” Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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