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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 David ask Charles when they first stop to rest?

2. What does David do that makes Charles run after him?

3. What does Charles tell David to get David to go with him?

4. What does the kidnapper say he is going to do with his victim in the note he left?

5. Why does Charles feel he needs to take a new name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Katsuk rationalize Vince's death?

2. Why is Katsuk angry at his people? What does he feel they should do?

3. Why do you think David tries to get Katsuk to run away? We now see that the bond between the two is even stronger than first thought. Why doesn't David run to the rescuers instead of encouraging Katsuk to run away with him?

4. Even though he is under intense stress and pressure, what does David do in Section 5 that gives a reader a picture of how he is handling his kidnapping?

5. What methods does David use in an effort to help guide the rescuers toward him?

6. It is nearly dark when Katsuk realizes that David is gone. What does Katsuk decide to do and why?

7. What makes Katsuk feel as if he and David may be like brothers in Section 6?

8. Describe the scene between Katsuk and Vince up until Vince's death.

9. In Section 3, what does the kidnapping note say?

10. After the storm, what happened at Katsuk's relatives' camp? Why do the relatives feel this happened? What do they give Katsuk as a peace offering?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Katsuk is instructed to take the life of an innocent. Though he is troubled by the instruction, he follows orders and kidnaps David, intending to sacrifice him in a Native American ritual ceremony. When they come across the path of a hiker, Katsuk brutally murders the man. Why doesn't Katsuk use this killing as his sacrifice since he now feels a connection with David? How does this murder change David's hopes and attitude toward Katsuk?

Essay Topic 2

The Raven, Katsuk's personal cartouche, is prevalent throughout the story. It represents Katsuk's power throughout. What do you think the appearance of the raven(s) means to David? Do you think the raven has something to do with David's reluctance to escape? Why or why not? Do you think the appearance of the ravens at the times they appear is coincidence, or do you think that Katsuk truly has power over them? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The author employs the flashback in much of the novel. What is the purpose of the author's use? Is this effective? Why or why not? How does this literary method add or detract from the story? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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