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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 the medicine man tell Tayo to do after they walk Tayo through the Ceremony?

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

3. What does Ku'oosh tell Tayo about the world?

4. What does Tayo say no one is allowed to do to an invisible one?

5. Upon what does Harley come riding up when he finds Tayo and asks for a beer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tayo remember about Josiah and Night Swan?

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

3. What does Tayo first do when he leaves Betonie?

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

5. Who is Night Swan and how does she know Josiah?

6. Where does Robert take Tayo at Ku'oosh’s suggestion and how does Tayo feel when he gets there? How does Tayo’s feelings change?

7. How does Robert begin to break through to Tayo and why might Robert be a good person to talk to his nephew?

8. What are Tayo’s symptoms after he leaves the hospital and how does a Japanese person help him?

9. How does Tayo start herding the cattle?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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