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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 Chess think she sees?

2. What record company's representatives come looking for Thomas?

3. Who is Checkers looking for when she leaves Thomas' house?

4. Why do the victims of the fight say their injuries are from a car accident?

5. Who once went to prison for assault?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens at Junior's funeral?

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

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

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

5. Where does Johnson stay on the reservation, what is his hope and what does Big Mom tell him?

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

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

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

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

10. What happens to the band in the recording studio?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Reservation Blues" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Thomas. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Chess. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Junior. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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