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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. For what is Fleck still searching?

2. What shocks Chee near the museum entrance?

3. What myth do the surreal drawings represent that Chee studies in Highhawk's office?

4. How does Leaphorn learn the killer's address?

5. About what does Leaphorn learn?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Fleck follow to the Smithsonian?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout the novel. 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. Trace the development of the theme of stolen artifacts. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of how the idea of stolen artifacts informs the entire novel.

2. Trace the development of the theme of greed. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of how greed seems to be more a part of the predominant culture of the United States versus that of the Navajo Indians.

3. Trace the development of the theme of violence. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is central to the novel's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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