View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the local sheriff?

2. Whose brother was killed in the explosion at the oil well?

3. As Chee takes Mary home, whose truck is still parked in the auction's parking lot?

4. How does B.J. Vines believe the thief got into the wall safe?

5. What kind of car does Jim Chee drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the explosion at the oil well occur?

2. Why is Tsoodzil important to the Navajos?

3. Why does Wolf's employer send Wolf to the university campus?

4. As Chapter 8 opens, for what is Colton Wolf waiting?

5. Describe the second person who illegally parks the car in the parking lot while the bacteriologist watches from her window.

6. Why had the peyote church been outlawed by the Tribal Council?

7. When asked by Chee, why does B.J. Vines claim that Sena dislikes Vines?

8. According to what B.J Vines tells Chee, why does Vines believe the box was stolen?

9. According to what Chee learns while visiting his predecessor, how did the People of Darkness get their name?

10. Even though Chee is curious about why Rosemary has requested his presence at her house, Chee does not ask her any questions. Why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hillerman uses this story to examine the role that truth plays in our daily lives. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when the truth is distorted or hidden? What did you learn from the author's discussion on truth? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There is no doubt that Gordo Sena is greatly affected by the events the death of his brother. Discuss how his brother's death and the events thereafter affect not only Sena's worldview but also his determination to find exact vengeance on his brother's killer. How do Gordo Sena's experiences affect his mental state, his ability to serve as sheriff his community, and his willingness to help Chee?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the people interested in the outcome of Chee's investigation, especially once the oil well explosion figures prominently in his questions. Compare and contrast these people in terms of their motivations, ability to plan, ability to manipulate, and success achieved. How are they similar? How are they different? Did any one person end up influencing Chee more than the others? If so, who and why? Support your answer with examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample