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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. How do Betty and Veronica earn a living?

2. What kind of music does the band play?

3. What does Thomas ask Robert Johnson?

4. What does Victor dream about his stepfather?

5. What does the band find out when they arrive at their first gig?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Thomas' father, Samuel, end up playing basketball against six police officers when he was younger?

2. What does the man who Thomas meets at an intersection on the reservation first say to Thomas?

3. How did Victor and Junior begin drinking and what is Thomas's drinking history?

4. What do Thomas and the two sisters do the night they find his father in the yard?

5. How does the song "Reservation Blues" come about?

6. What does Thomas do after the show at Flathead?

7. What does David Walks Along find when he returns to his office from the band rehearsal and what does the band do when they hear his news?

8. Why can't Chess sleep in the van due to Junior?

9. What do Thomas, Victor and Junior decide to do when Victor and Junior come over to Thomas' house?

10. What does Victor dream about that involves his mother and his stepfather?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrative in Chapter 4 switches back and forth between the present and the past when Thomas' father, Samuel, played basketball with the tribal police. The incident with the police shows in many ways how some reservation residents resent any member of the tribe that succeeds. While some reservation residents engage in almost hero worship of one who excels, plenty of others seem to feel jealousy to the point of hatred.

1. Why do you think some poor people might get jealous of people from their circumstances doing well? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think is the differences in the people who hero worship someone who has done well as opposed to ones who are angry or hateful towards that person? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think the police became violent when playing ball with Samuel? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Reservation Blues" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Reservation Blues" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Reservation Blues" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "Reservation Blues" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Thomas. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Chess. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Junior. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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