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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. Whose body was discovered under some bushes?

2. What does Highhawk invite Chee to admire?

3. What does Dr. Hartman show Chee?

4. In what State penitentiary does Fleck do time?

5. Where is Highhawk found?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Chee and Highhawk agree to meet at the museum?

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

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

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

5. Describe Fleck's conversation with "The Client" after reading the newspaper articles.

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

7. What is the possible history of the Inca mask of the god Viracocha?

8. Describe the conversation between Leroy and Delmar Fleck.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Talking God belongs to the detective/crime/mystery genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the detective/crime/mystery genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a suspense novel and a murder mystery?

4. Many in the world of academe do not see mystery as a serious genre, that its primary purpose is entertainment and not "worthy" of being studied by serious students of literature? Respond to that idea.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Talking God is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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