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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 does the narrator admit Hector was most of the time?

2. What did the narrator decide to do for Hector 40 years after he disappeared?

3. Who does the narrator say is "good at funerals"(2)?

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

5. How many people has the narrator kissed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does he say was the saddest thing said about Hector?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write a detailed analysis of tone in Alexie's "Happy Trails." Include whether the tone changes or remains the same. If it changes, include details on when, why and whether this change is effective.

Essay Topic 3

The only characters named in the story are Hector and Agnes. Write an essay analyzing why the author chose to name only these two characters. What impact did this have on your reading? How might this choice represent the theme of inherited pain or oppression?

(see the answer keys)

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