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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. Why does Leaphorn miss Emma particularly at this moment?

2. For whom does Elkins work?

3. What is different between the list and the notebook in the luggage Leaphorn inspects?

4. What is Leaphorn's typical outfit at home?

5. What does Fleck call the nursing home director?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens while Highhawk and Chee are sitting in Highhawk's office and what does Chee do?

3. What lesson does Fleck remember from his childhood?

4. What does Fleck read in the newspaper about Cardona and about the man Fleck murders in the desert?

5. What does Jim Chee find in Highhawk's office and what does he think of it?

6. With whom does Chee have breakfast and what amazes Chee?

7. Who does Fleck follow to the Smithsonian?

8. Whose body is found in some bushes and what is the cause of death?

9. What does the recording found with Highhawk reveal?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Getting the most out of this novel requires some familiarity with the Navajo cultures. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Who are the Navajo? What are some of the different clans of Navajo? How do the various clans differ, if they do? What are some of their common beliefs? How do the Navajo live in today's world?

3. How does the Navajo culture inform the plot and actions of this novel? Give examples.

4. Compare and contrast the cultures of two Southwestern Native American tribes.

Essay Topic 2

One of the overlying themes in this book and indeed most of Hillerman's books is the differences between White, Western culture and that of Native Americans. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Choose two of the following areas and compare and contrast the White, Western culture with the Native American culture: religion, nature, politics/government, marriage, death, war, gender roles.

2. Using the entire novel of Talking God, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives Native American culture.

3. Using the entire novel of Talking God, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives white, Western culture.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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