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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 Junior imagine about the plane the band rode on?

2. How does Checkers sneak out of Thomas' house?

3. Who attacks Victor and Junior when they go to a store?

4. Who says he is leaving the reservation?

5. To whom does Big Mom say Robert Johnson's guitar belongs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Victor see Junior again and what does he do when he sees Junior?

2. What does the band do mostly in Chapter Six and why?

3. What does Sheridan want to do with Betty and Veronica?

4. What does Checkers find when she sneaks out of Thomas' house and goes to the church?

5. What happens to Thomas in church and what does he decide needs done?

6. What does Checkers think about the band and why does she think that?

7. What was Big Mom's past connection with Michael White Hawk?

8. How do Thomas and the sisters get money to leave the reservation and what do they see as they are leaving?

9. What does Victor do at the studio and after they leave?

10. What happens when Thomas and Chess return to the hotel and what surprises them about their room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Reservation Blues", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Reservation Blues". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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