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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. In what State penitentiary does Fleck do time?

2. Who is at Highhawk's townhouse when Chee and Leaphorn arrive?

3. For whom does Elkins work?

4. What does Chee do when Highhawk receives a phone call and excuses himself?

5. Whose body was discovered under some bushes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Fleck follow to the Smithsonian?

2. What does Chee conclude about the Yeibichai mask and how does he come to that conclusion?

3. What do Chee, Leaphorn and Captain Rodney find in the bin that contains artifacts from Borneo?

4. How does Leaphorn find an address for the victim that was dumped in the desert?

5. Besides a Yeibichai mask, what else does Chee find of interest in Highhawk's office?

6. What is Fleck's association with Eddy Elkins and why does Fleck think of him in this chapter?

7. With whom do Chee and Leaphorn meet and what does Chee tell the person?

8. What does the man who was the conductor on the Amtrak train which stopped in the desert in New Mexico tell Joe Leaphorn?

9. Describe the conversation between Fleck and the Client and Fleck's reaction afterward.

10. How does Fleck's childhood lesson serve him while he is in prison and as a hired killer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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."

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 4, Officer Chee is watching dancers prepare for the Yeibichai or Night Chant ceremony. Discuss the following

1. Research some Navajo rites or initiation ceremonies and describe them and give your thoughts about them.

2. What do you think is the purpose of ceremonies for the common events in human life (such as birth, death, marriage, etc.)?

3. Has Native American culture influenced some aspect of the predominant culture of the United States? How? Give examples and discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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