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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. Where does the father in "Do Not Go Gentle" shop for a toy for his baby?

2. In "Do Not Go Gentle," how much money does the father think could be collected from the wallets and purses of all his relatives in total?

3. How many other published Spokane Indian poets are there in "The Search Engine" besides Harlan Atwater?

4. According to the librarian, how many other people have checked out Harlan Atwater's book before Corliss?

5. At the dinner Richard attends, how many other single people are seated at his table?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the similarities between the man and woman who meet after the bombing in "Can I Get a Witness"?

2. What does the opening scene of "The Search Engine" in which Corliss watches the young couple in the student union cafe foreshadow?

3. Are there any parallels between the bombing of the Good Food Restaurant in "Can I Get a Witness" and the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center?

4. Who is the antagonist in "Lawyer's League" and what helps identify that character as the villain/villainess?

5. What do Corliss's visits to McDonald's illustrate?

6. Discuss the influence of Native American culture on the life of the woman in "Can I Get a Witness?"

7. How is it ironic that Bill is the only prosecutor in the lawyer's basketball league?

8. What do Corliss's apartment and the way it is furnished indicate about Corliss?

9. How does Corliss think white people feel about Indians?

10. How does Corliss differ from the rest of her family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Sharon in "Do You Know Where I Am" ever truly forgives David for his lies about the lost cat? Why or why not? Cite at least three examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Ceremony is an important aspect of Native American spirituality. Discuss the role of ceremony in "Do Not Go Gentle," "What You Pawn I Will Redeem," and "Whatever Happened to Frank Snake Church?" Give examples of ceremony in each story and discuss its influence on the characters and theme. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the post-September 11th worlds of "Can I Get a Witness?" and "Flight Patterns." What is Alexie saying about September 11th and its effect on American lives in these stories? What is Alexie saying about September 11th and its effect on Native American lives in these stories? Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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