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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 Harley say he traded for the truck he is driving?

2. What does Tayo eat as he is walking back to Ts’eh’s house?

3. What type of tool does Tayo carry with him when he is looking for the cattle?

4. What does Ts’eh tell Tayo where the cattle are located ask him when he first comes to her house?

5. What is Tayo's heritage?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Josiah and the boys learn about cattle care?

3. Who is hired as a shepherd after Harley and how does that go?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Tayo find out when he returns to his family?

9. What does Betonie say when Tayo says he wants to find Josiah’s cattle?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels.

Compare/contrast the characters of Tayo and Auntie. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples. Compare/contrast the characters of Josiah and Emo. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

Essay Topic 3

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Ceremony, 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? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

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