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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. Who goes with Leaphorn to Union Station?

2. What does Leaphorn realize the purpose of the list is?

3. Who does the reader learn is "The Client"?

4. To what is the cassette recorder found in Highhawk's pocket wired?

5. What does the Amtrak conductor find when he looks in the roomette?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leaphorn observe about the handwriting on papers in the victim's luggage and what does he realize about one of the papers?

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

3. What lesson does Fleck remember from his childhood?

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

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

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

7. Describe the conversation between Leroy and Delmar Fleck.

8. What does Leaphorn learn when he calls his office?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Talking God is successful as a detective novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Tony Hillerman series about Joe Leaphorn and the Navajo? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Talking God, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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