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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. How many times does Junior say he's had to walk the entire way from school to his home in Chapter 12: "Slouching Toward Thanksgiving"?

2. What is the name of the reservation where Junior's family lives?

3. What disorder does Junior discover that Penelope suffers from in Chapter 15: "Hunger Pains"?

4. What is the name of the Indian girl that Junior describes falling in love with in Chapter 10: "Tears of a Clown"?

5. How is Mr. P injured after Junior accidentally hits him with his geometry book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Junior say he is a member of "The Black Eye of the Month Club"? How does this status affect Junior's actions?

2. What is Rowdy's immediate reaction to Junior's announcement in Chapter 7: "Rowdy Sings the Blues"?

3. What birth defect does Junior describe having been born with in Chapter 1: "The Black Eye of the Month Club"?

4. How does Junior describe the changes in how he's perceived around Penelope in Chapter 15: "Hunger Pains"?

5. What prediction does Junior's grandmother make in Chapter 9: "Grandmother Gives Me Some Advice"?

6. How does Junior describe the character of Dawn in Chapter 10: "Tears of a Clown"?

7. How does the reservation where Mary has moved to differ from the one where she and Junior grew up?

8. How does Junior compare his and Oscar's family' circumstances in Chapter 3: "Revenge Is My Middle Name"?

9. How does Junior describe his feelings about "community" in the beginning of Chapter 12: "Slouching Toward Thanksgiving"?

10. How does Junior justify Rowdy's reaction to his announcement in Chapter 7: "Rowdy Sings the Blues"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of hope in the novel. What does “hope” mean to Junior? What does it mean to his family members and to the other inhabitants of the Reservation? What does hope mean to you? How is this theme developed in the course of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss and analyze the conversation between Gordy and Junior in Chapter 18: "Don't Trust Your Computer." What points of view does Gordy put forth in this conversation examining the struggle between individuality and community? How does Gordy describe man’s struggle between these two forces? What historical philosophers have also pondered this question?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship Junior has with his father in the novel. How has Junior’s relationship with Arnold Sr. evolved from the beginning of the story? Author Sherman Alexie has stated in interviews that some aspects of this novel are autobiographical, including the fact that Alexie’s father was an alcoholic. How did this impact Alexie and his works?

(see the answer keys)

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