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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 does Harley tell Leroy to take Tayo for a cure?

2. To what tribe do the two Indians belong who get coins from Tayo when he and Robert are on the bridge?

3. What does Josiah ride when he is cutting cattle out on a deal with Ulibarri?

4. What does Helen Jean do for a living in her hometown before she moves to Gallup?

5. Under what kind of trees at the Y bar does Leroy park?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. Who are the family members who are kind to Tayo?

4. What does Tayo tell Ku'oosh about the war and about the drought?

5. How does Tayo start herding the cattle?

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

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

8. How does Josiah feel about Tayo and how does Josiah treat Tayo?

9. How does Tayo and Rocky end up in the military and how do they end up stationed together?

10. What does Tayo first do when he goes to hunt for 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

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two.

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Ceremony is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

The world of the battlefield was the most hostile and threatening of all the experiences in his life. Some men seem to survive these horrors while moving on and making lives for themselves, while others are emotionally unable to cope, and Tayo was one of the latter.

How do you think Tayo’s early life might have affected his response to the battle field? Why might his reactions to battle be considered a weakness to some people? Why are his reactions not a weakness? Use examples from Ceremony to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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