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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 weapons are the armed men brandishing when they confront Håkan in the street?

2. What gift does Håkan give to the Indians in return for their kindness?

3. Which of Håkan's five senses alerts him to the close proximity of "civilization" (107)?

4. Who makes Håkan's escape from a death sentence possible?

5. The sheriff announces that Håkan will undergo what punishment for his crimes after being paraded through the countryside?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Håkan's main fear when he enters the first town he has visited since the killings occurred?

2. What does Hakan observe about Jarvis's reputation among the caravan's members?

3. During the period of time when Håkan travels with the help of a burro and a horse, how does he view his goal destination of New York City?

4. What act does Håkan describe as the kindest service anyone has ever done for him?

5. In what way is the sheriff's corruption the key to Håkan's freedom?

6. For what reason does Håkan miss his first sign that he may be in danger when he reaches his first town since the killings?

7. What characteristic of Asa makes a deep impression on Håkan?

8. What item does Håkan attempt to procure from the people traveling in the caravan train and what is the outcome?

9. Which of the five senses does Håkan most strongly associate with the presence of humans?

10. For what purpose does Diaz employ character foils within Håkan's period of captivity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of In the Distance and one of the novel's main messages. How does Diaz make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help them get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Look carefully at the passages of In the Distance that describe the close relationships between Håkan and his various mentors within the narrative. What is Diaz’s purpose for portraying three characters as different as James Brennan, Lorimer, and Asa in the roles of Håkan’s mentors?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Asa's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Diaz in depicting Asa and include in your discussion the reasons that Diaz portrays Asa in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

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