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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 does Thomas tell the band after he talks to the bar owner?

2. How do Betty and Veronica earn a living?

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

4. Where do Victor, Thomas and Junior practice?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Thomas do with the guitar Johnson left in his van and what do Victor and Junior say to Thomas about the guitar? What do they do to the guitar?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What does the guitar do about Thomas singing to Chess, and what does Chess eventually do?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Sherman Alexie.

2. What in Alexie's background may have helped him in writing "Reservation Blues"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Reservation Blues".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Reservation Blues". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Reservation Blues". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Junior's dream is horrific in its detail. Wright and Sheridan were actual historical figures involved in the forcing of Native Americans onto reservations. While Wright might seem more compassionate to the Native American viewpoint, Sheridan seems to have no such weakness.

1. Do you think a person might be able to get insight into his/her life through a dream? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think is the symbolism of Wright and Sheridan in the book? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. What type of conflicts might Wright have had if he felt compassion for the very people he help herd onto reservations? What types of emotional and mental conflicts could he have experienced? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,182 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample