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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 is Tayo's father from?

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

3. Who bought the Ford coupe that Tayo’s friends pick him up in to go to the bar?

4. Why is Tayo happy it starts snowing the morning after his encounter with the fence patrol?

5. When Tayo and the medicine man leave his home, what is the medicine man riding?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Rocky end up dead?

4. What happens to Tayo after he attacks Emo?

5. Why does Tayo feel guilty about Josiah?

6. How does Tayo free the cattle and what kind of animal does he see when he is freeing the cattle?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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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