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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which animal did Francisco shoot and kill the next day while hunting by following the tracks?

2. Abel also placed Francisco's pouches of pollen and __________, along with the sacred feathers by his side.

3. Who does Ben ask for money that is owed to him from a previous lending situation?

4. On the first and second days of his return, Abel had gone out and gotten ___________.

5. Abel put ______________ on his grandfather's head and fashioned it in a queue.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The rain is present at various points in the story, points where there are significant changes for the characters.

Part 1: Why is rain present at the time when Angela and Abel make love?

Part 2: Why do you think rain occurs when Abel leaves Los Angeles to go back to Walatowa?

Part 3: Why is rain present after Francisco dies?

Essay Topic 2

There are vast differences between the older and the newer generations of Native Americans in this story.

Part 1: Compare and contrast the older and newer generations of Native Americans in this story.

Part 2: Do you think the newer generation of Native Americans is hopeful? Why or why not?

Part 3: What does Momaday seem to be saying for the future of Native Americans?

Essay Topic 3

The memories that flood back into Abel's mind give the reader a sense of who he was when he was younger, but also a sense of who is is in the present day.

Part 1: Why do you think Momaday decided to write about Abel through the memories he has?

Part 2: Why are memories a good way to get to know someone?

Part 3: Do you think the story would have been stronger if the life story of Abel had been told in a more conventional way? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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