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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. About what does Victor dream the day before Junior kills himself?

2. Where is the band carrying their instruments?

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

4. What do Wright and Sheridan explain to the band members?

5. Why did Thomas start Coyote Springs?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Wright bust into Checkers' hotel room?

5. What does Big Mom tell Checkers about Father Arnold and what does Checkers do about it?

6. What happens at Junior's funeral?

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

8. What do Sheridan and Wright do after talking to the band?

9. What does Chess tell Checkers she and Thomas are going to do, what does she ask Checkers and what does Checkers ask Chess?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The narrative in Chapter 4 switches back and forth between the present and the past when Thomas' father, Samuel, played basketball with the tribal police. The incident with the police shows in many ways how some reservation residents resent any member of the tribe that succeeds. While some reservation residents engage in almost hero worship of one who excels, plenty of others seem to feel jealousy to the point of hatred.

1. Why do you think some poor people might get jealous of people from their circumstances doing well? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think is the differences in the people who hero worship someone who has done well as opposed to ones who are angry or hateful towards that person? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think the police became violent when playing ball with Samuel? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

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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