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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 letter does Victor find in Junior's belongings?

2. What have Thomas, Victor and Junior heard about Big Mom?

3. What does Big Mom say Robert Johnson was meant to be?

4. How long have Victor and Junior stayed drunk?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 does the band do mostly in Chapter Six and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Reservation Blues" belongs to the Native American literature genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between Native American literature and an historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Junior's dream is horrific in its detail. Wright and Sheridan were actual historical figures involved in the forcing of Native Americans onto reservations. While Wright might seem more compassionate to the Native American viewpoint, Sheridan seems to have no such weakness.

1. Do you think a person might be able to get insight into his/her life through a dream? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think is the symbolism of Wright and Sheridan in the book? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. What type of conflicts might Wright have had if he felt compassion for the very people he help herd onto reservations? What types of emotional and mental conflicts could he have experienced? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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