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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 do Robert and Tayo take to Pinkie out at the sheep camp?

2. How does the medicine man Tayo is sent to wear his hair?

3. What does Tayo do with the heart and liver of the deer?

4. What does Tayo do when Emo will not leave him alone at the bar?

5. What is the police’s response to the woman with the reddish hair’s behavior?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of Indian is Tayo and what are his earliest memories of his mother?

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

3. How does Rocky’s mother feel about him going off to war and what does Tayo tell her?

4. How does Rocky end up dead?

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

6. 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?

7. What does Betonie show Tayo about his illness and how it is related to white people?

8. What happens with Tayo when he first gets back home and where does he stay?

9. Why does Tayo attack Emo?

10. Where does Tayo end up finding the cattle again with the man’s help?

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.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Ceremony help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Ceremony? Why or why not. Use examples from Ceremony and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

This writer, a Native American herself, is communicating a way her own people can adapt to the changes that have taken place and are taking place in their own world while hanging on to their own identity at the same time.

Discuss at least three ways which Silko advocates can help her people adapt to the changes in their culture while continuing to hold onto their own cultural identity. Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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