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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. Where does Leaphorn go to search Madrid-Perez's luggage?

2. What is Angnes Tsosie told by a doctor?

3. For how long has Leaphorn's wife been dead?

4. Who does not want to live on the Navajo Reservation?

5. What does the pathologist say about the cause of death of the body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who picks up Chee at the airport and what does he observe about the men?

2. What is Leroy Fleck's most pressing personal problem?

3. Why does Joe Leaphorn believe harmony has been restored in terms of the corpse in the desert?

4. What does Leaphorn find when he searches the luggage of Hilario Madrid- Perez for clues?

5. What is so mysterious about the body in the desert?

6. Describe Henry Highhawk's appearance at the Night Chant ceremony.

7. What ceremony is Jim Chee observing and why is he there?

8. Why hasn't The Client paid Fleck the rest of the money owed Fleck?

9. Describe Agnes Tsosie's visit to the doctor.

10. How do the members of the tribal council feel about the proposed bypass? How does Tamana think he can get elected to the council?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Choose two incidences in Talking God and compare/contrast the way the Navajo culture and the western, white culture view those incidents.

2. Write an argument/persuasion essay addressing the idea of assimilation versus a group keeping their own culture when they live within a larger culture.

3. Conduct 2 interviews of Native Americans or persons from a different culture who have moved to the United States and ask them about the idea of assimilation versus merging into the predominent culture of the United States.

Essay Topic 2

Talking God, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) 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 Silent Prey and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Talking God 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. Discuss one idea in Talking God that might influence your thinking.

Essay Topic 3

Most mystery novels have an element of fear and suspense. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of fear in Talking God. Use specific examples to support your ideas. In what ways is fear felt? Who feels fearful? Why?

2. Why do you think many people enjoy getting scared? For example--in spook houses at Halloween or by reading mystery/suspense novels that contain an element of fear?

3. Is anything a character is afraid of within his/her control to change? What? Why do you think the character has not addressed those issues?

4. Discuss whether or not you enjoy the experience of being scared when you know it is not "real."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,120 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample