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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. Why does Junior get fired?

2. What does David Walks Along say about the band?

3. Why did Junior start to drink?

4. What does the guitar do to Victor?

5. Why does being around Betty and Veronica upset Checkers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to the band on the way to a venue not on an Indian Reservation and what surprises the band about the incident?

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

4. What was the mix-up with the gig in Seattle?

5. What does Checkers tell Father Arnold when she visits him?

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

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

8. What happens with the guitar and Thomas the night he plays for Victor and Junior?

9. What does Thomas ask Chess about her church, what is her response and what story does he tell that starts her crying?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Reservation Blues" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,233 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample