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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 the narrator decide to do for Hector 40 years after he disappeared?

2. What did each mourner do after the coffin was lowered into the ground?

3. How long ago did the narrator's father die?

4. How does the narrator say Indian's view their worst losses and greatest beauty?

5. Where did Hector say he was headed when he left 41 years ago?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator say his mother does which made her "good at funerals" (2)?

2. What does the narrator's mother say about Indian self help books?

3. Who does the narrator live with? Why do other Indians not judge him for this?

4. What does the narrator suggest may have happened to Hector as he hitchhiked to Spokane?

5. Who is Hector in relation to the narrator? When was the last time the narrator has seen him?

6. When the narrator's mother says Hector was a good man, the narrator says he was great. Does he really believe Hector was great? How do you know?

7. Describe the narrator's relationship with his female cousin whom he describes as gorgeous.

8. What type of person does the narrator say Hector was? How old would he be if he were alive? What does the narrator think Hector would be like?

9. Describe the conversation between the narrator and his mother about whether Hector is alive or not.

10. What does the narrator say was the best part of the funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing the imagery used in "Happy Trails." Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Hector and the narrator in "Happy Trails." What details help develop their character and what do these details tell you about them? What is their background? How do they know each other? In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Alexie's commentary on Native American History in "Happy Trails." How is this history important to the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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