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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. From whom does a FedEx package arrive?

2. What happens when the band arrives for its first gig?

3. What does Chess do when the band is playing?

4. Where does the band perform for their second performance?

5. What happens to Checkers when she and Victor fight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Chess ask Thomas about religion and how does Thomas respond?

2. What is Victor doing while the band is waiting for their turn in the the battle of the bands?

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

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

5. What does Thomas ask Chess and Checkers to do and what is their response?

6. 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?

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

8. Why is Robert Johnson at the reservation, and what does Thomas say to him about Big Mom?

9. What happens when the band first arrives at Flathead Reservation and what happens about time there?

10. How does Lester end up with a broken nose during the game with the police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters Betty and Veronica are darkly comical. They believe that Native Americans have some sort of spiritual insight or wisdom. In this way they view Native Americans as stereotypes and fail to appreciate the individual. It is ironic that the two have the names Betty and Veronica, the same names as two characters from a famous comic book series. Though ironic, in this way Betty and Veronica are stereotypes of white people who have unrealistic views of Native Americans.

1. The belief that Native Americans have special insight or wisdom is prevalent in America. Explain how this perception is a type of labeling and stereotyping. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. How does putting labels on a group of individuals get in the way of knowing those persons as individuals? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Explain the irony of Betty and Veronica stereotyping Native Americans. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Reservation Blues". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alexie chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alexie chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Alexie's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Alexie use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

"Reservation Blues" belongs to the Native American literature genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between Native American literature and an historical novel?

(see the answer keys)

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