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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 is the name of the clan to which Chee belongs?

2. After renting the vehicle, where does Wolf first drive?

3. As the bacteriologist watches, a dirty truck parks illegally in the lot. What space does the truck pull into?

4. According to the rumor Chee heard, who had designed the Vines' home?

5. At the beginning of Chapter 8 as Colton Wolf waits, from whom does Wolf receive a letter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the malpais?

2. After Rosemary questions Chee on how well he knows Navajo "religion," what does Rosemary ask if Chee knows anything about?

3. According to what Vines tells Chee, who does B.J. Vines believe is responsible for the oil well explosion and why?

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

5. Why is Tsoodzil important to the Navajos?

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

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

8. Why were the employees of the oil company going to "shoot" the oil well?

9. According to what Charley tells Chee, what is contained in the missing box?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast how the character of Mary Landon changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Mary's character when she first meets Jim Chee at the auction, when she accompanies Chee to the malpais, when she appears in Chee's hospital room offering to help him, and when the story ends. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

B.J. Vines wears different masks in the story. Both a respected community member and an incredible liar, Vines is a study in contradictions. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides/personas of B.J. Vines. How would the entire plot have been affected if Vines had not been successful at deceiving those around him? Why is it necessary for Vines to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story, there are several attempts made on Chee's life.

a. Identify at least three attempts on Chee's life. Describe the situation and how Chee escapes.

b. Compare and contrast the situations in which the attempts are made on Chee's life. What is the motivation in each of these situations to kill Chee?

(see the answer keys)

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