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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 did Leaphorn experience in college with Tom Bob and Blackie Bisti?

2. In Chapter 16, what does Leaphorn compare to a broom handle?

3. How does Ted Isaacs refer to his family?

4. What order is Father Ingles with?

5. In the early part of Chapter 16, what affects Leaphorn's ability to move and talk?

Short Essay Questions

1. Leaphorn tells Susanne about Sa. Who or what is Sa?

2. Who are the people who are hunting in Chapter 15, and what are they hunting?

3. What has Susanne learned about deer from George Bowlegs?

4. Father Ingles is impressed with George Bowlegs. Why?

5. When Dance Hall of the Dead ends, where is Susanne most likely?

6. In Chapter 15, what disturbs Leaphorn about the dead deer killed by George Bowlegs?

7. In Chapter 16, Leaphorn is shot with a hypodermic dart. How was this done?

8. What are the Koyemshi, and what is their significance?

9. According to the Zuni beliefs, what will happen if the Shalako ceremonies aren't performed correctly?

10. Although George Bowlegs is mentioned often in the book, the reader doesn't see him until Chapter 19 when he appears in front of Leaphorn.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A meeting between the various law enforcement entities shows the different cultures and the differences. Through Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn's eyes, the reader learns of an antagonism or rivalry between his culture, the Navajo, and that of the Zuni. Yet since the crime involves two boys, one who is Navajo and the other who is Zuni, these two cultures must work together. Compare and contrast the Navajo and Zuni cultures as described in Chapter 2.

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 4 manages to raise a larger societal issue as Leaphorn recalls a plaque he once saw in a Native American school that read, "Tradition is the Enemy of Progress." Leaphorn recognizes that the Zunis have been better able to cling to their traditional ways than the Navajo. It is the loss of some of the old ways of the Navajo that have sent George in search of something in Zuni religion. Because of the teachings of his grandfather in the old ways, Leaphorn expresses sadness that other Navajo don't have this in their lives. Discuss how traditional ways guide Leaphorn in his daily life and in his role as a police officer.

Essay Topic 3

The FBI agent, John O'Malley, acts as if the paralyzing dart is not worth worrying about or filing charges against. What is O'Malley communicating to Leaphorn with his words and actions in Chapter 17? Is he showing prejudice against Leaphorn because he's Navajo or because he's just a local authority? How does O'Malley's attitude affect Leaphorn's decisions of what and how to investigate?

(see the answer keys)

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