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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 is the large warrior who shows up?

2. Where does Uncas locate a sign of the group they are pursuing?

3. Who will go to rescue Cora during the battle?

4. Who does Hawkeye confess to killing?

5. What evidence do they keep finding that tells them they are on the right trail?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the men locate the trail of the Iroquois in hopes of finding Cora and Alice?

2. What is Heyward warned about?

3. What happens as they cross the lake in a canoe?

4. When Magua enters the cave, how do Heyward and Hawkeye overpower him?

5. What strange event occurs as Heyward is led to a cave to perform medicine cures for a woman possessed of an evil spirit?

6. Who are the condemned men being held by the Huron?

7. How do the braves discover that Uncas is gone?

8. How are Cora and Uncas honored in death?

9. What does Hawkeye, disguised as the bear, propose to do to Uncas?

10. Explain why the five men use extra caution when leaving Fort Henry the following morning.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about weaknesses in Cooper's tale. For example, begin with the idea that a father would send for his daughters to join him in a fort that is under siege. Include other things you find in the story that cause suspension of belief, e.g., Hawkeye dressed as a bear and no one suspecting he is really a man.

Essay Topic 2

Do some research about James Fenimore Cooper and discuss his use of actual people and events in his writing. [Note: a good research source is WILLIAM COOPER'S TOWN by Alan Taylor] Write your essay about how realistic the characters are. Give your impressions about Cooper's knowledge of the American Indian.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay contrasting Cora and Alice. In your opinion, is there an element of racism in Cora's being the stronger of the two girls and eventually being killed? Is there a weakness in Heyward's expressed preference for Alice? Is Magua's preference for Cora based on racial preference?

(see the answer keys)

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