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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 nightmare does Checkers continue to have?

2. What does Junior's ghost keep giving Victor?

3. Where does Checkers remain?

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

5. How is Victor feeling as the band is walking along?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Junior say about his white college girlfriend?

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

3. What knocks the band to the ground and what does Thomas ask Big Mom? How does she respond to his question?

4. What does Victor dream about the guitar?

5. How do the members of the band feel when they first see Big Mom and what does she tell Victor?

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

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

8. What was in the conversation Father Arnold has with the bishop?

9. What are Victor and Junior doing while Thomas and Chess are at the hotel?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship between Thomas and his tormentors Victor and Junior is familiar and conditioned over time. Clearly these men have known each other since childhood and they continue to act the same way toward each other as they did as children. Victor and Junior are the oppressors, and Thomas is the passive victim.

1. Why do you think it is difficult to change our relationship with a person we have known for many years? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the reasons a bully victimizes others? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Thomas remains passive when he is bullied by Victor and Junior? Look at Thomas, not only in the present, but also the clues one is given from his childhood. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Although "Reservation Blues" did not end on a happy note, many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels do end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Reservation Blues" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Reservation Blues" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. How does the ending of Reservation Blues affect your perception of whether it is a good book or not? Would you have rather seen a more positive ending? Why do you think the author ended the book on a somewhat negative note?

(see the answer keys)

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