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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. Who is sitting at Big Mom's house?

2. Who does Thomas want to vote out of the band?

3. Who hears Johnson singing?

4. Who does Big Mom say Victor should forgive?

5. What does Big Mom give Robert Johnson?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens at Junior's funeral?

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

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

6. What does Victor dream about the guitar?

7. How does Father Arnold end up going to comfort the band?

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

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

10. How does the band get involved with Sheridan and Wright?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two men from the record company have the same names as the generals in Junior's dream, and these men were actual figures. Both Wright and Sheridan seem to be the same men that could have been generals in the late nineteenth century, but the band members seem unaware of the similarities. They also seem to be unaware of the strange coincidence in the record company's name of Cavalry Records. Any doubt for the reader that these men are actually Generals Wright and Sheridan is removed after the conversation with Mr. Armstrong, possibly General George Armstrong Custer, when the men share a drink from a very old flask.

1. Why do you think the band members are unaware of who Sheridan and Wright might be? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. Although Wright and Sheridan forced Native Americans onto reservations in the nineteenth century, George Custer was defeated by the Indians. What do you think the symbolism is with Custer being the head of the record company? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. How does the incidences of the supernatural in this story affect the readers' identification with the characters as far as being believable enough to feel empathy with the characters? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

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 the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Reservation Blues" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Reservation Blues" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Reservation Blues" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,137 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample