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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. Who does the narrator imagine is buried in Hector's empty coffin?

2. At Hector's grave, the narrator wonders if it is possible for an Indian to die in what way?

3. At the graveside, what does the narrator hope the Indians who killed Hector did as they "buried his body deep in the woods" (3)?

4. What information was carved into Hector's wooden grave marker?

5. The narrator says that Hector's grandmother's children were the first generation to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the best thing the narrator's father ever said to him?

2. Why does the narrator feel certain Hector would not have been killed by a white man?

3. How does the narrator feel at the end of the story standing in the cemetery?

4. Who is Agnes? Why does the narrator have a picture of her?

5. What does the narrator wish one of his uncle's killers would do after the funeral?

6. Why does the narrator say it was inevitable that Hector would become "a violent man who died violently" (3)?

7. What does the narrator say about why he does not know the mourning song his mother "whisper-sang" (3) after the mourners left the cemetery?

8. What does the narrator hopes the Indians who killed his uncle did as they buried him?

9. What does one of the mourners say will happen in 100 years before they leave the cemetery?

10. What does the narrator plan to do at the end of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay on the role of the white man in the story. What is the relationship with the white man like? Why? How are the characters impacted by this relationship?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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