View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who hears Johnson singing?

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

3. Over what does Victor weep?

4. What does Thomas want to do to which Big Mom says no?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Victor dream about the guitar?

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

4. What problem does the band encounter at the airport and what does Thomas do during the flight?

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

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

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

8. What happens when Michael White Hawk sees Victor, Junior, Betty and Veronica?

9. What does Junior do when the band leaves Big Mom?

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

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

Thomas' fears show that he is more of a thinker than the other male members of the band. From the start, Thomas has been the member to make all important decisions, except when a vote is required, and he takes on the task of composing original music. Thomas' fears regarding becoming famous show that he thinks about future outcomes rather than latch onto an unrealistic and idealistic view of the effects of fame.

1. Do you think the fact that Thomas does not drink makes him more logical in his approach to life and the band's situation? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What are some of the reasons Thomas might have to fear becoming famous? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. What do you think are some unrealistic or idealistic views of fame that many people have? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,160 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample