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

3. Why is the narrator certain Hector did not get into the car with white strangers?

4. At the graveside, what does the narrator hope whoever killed Hector would do?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. At the cemetery, who does the narrator imagine is in Hector's casket?

6. How does the narrator imagine Hector met his death after leaving for Spokane?

7. Why does the narrator feel certain Hector was most likely killed by a member of his own tribe?

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

9. 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?

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

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

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

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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