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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 did the narrator's "beautiful and distant cousin" (1) move?

2. What sad thing was said at Hector's funeral in regards to his lack of fear of the white man?

3. What did the narrator's cousin tell him they could do if they were royalty?

4. Who attended Hector's wake?

5. What Indian tribe do the narrator and his family belong?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does the narrator's mother say when he suggests they bury Hector? How does the narrator reply?

5. Why does the narrator say people have a tendency to aggrandize the dead?

6. 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?

7. What was the funniest thing said at Hector's funeral?

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

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

10. Where was Hector's casket buried? What does the narrator say about the Coeur d'Alene Catholics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay analyzing the title "Happy Trails." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

Essay Topic 2

Define setting and discuss the significance of Alexie's choice of the reservation and cemetery as setting in the story. How is setting used? Why is it important?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the authors "best moments" discussed in the story. Why do you think he incorporates these into the story? How does it impact the tone and mood of the story? How does it impact your reading?

(see the answer keys)

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