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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 is Junior's history teacher at Reardan?

2. What is the condition that Junior says he was born with in Chapter 1: "The Black Eye of the Month Club"?

3. What name is printed in the geometry book that Junior receives in class in Chapter 4: "Because Geometry Is Not a Country Somewhere Near France"?

4. Junior says of Mary in Chapter 6: "Go Means Go" that she is running away to do what?

5. Whom does Junior confess to about his love for the beautiful Indian girl in Chapter 10: "Tears of a Clown"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What action does Junior take toward reconciliation with Rowdy in Chapter 14: "Thanksgiving"?

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

3. How does Junior describe his family's financial circumstances in Chapter 2: "Why Chicken Means So Much to Me"?

4. What is Penelope's goal with her costume in Chapter 11: "Halloween"? How does this inspire Junior?

5. How does Arnold Spirit, Sr. handle the situation with Oscar in Chapter 2: "Why Chicken Means So Much to Me"? How does Junior respond to the situation?

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

7. What leads up to Junior throwing the textbook in Chapter 4: "Because Geometry Is Not a Country Somewhere Near France"?

8. How do Junior's parents respond to Junior's decision about school in Chapter 6: "Go Means Go"? What warning do they impart on him?

9. What conversation do Eugene and Junior have when Eugene drops Junior off at school in Chapter 9: "Grandmother Gives Me Some Advice"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Grandmother Spirit in the novel. What is Junior’s relationship like with his grandmother? How is Grandmother Spirit viewed by the other members of the community? What can you tell about Junior’s grandmother based on the advice that she gives him in Chapter 9?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of creative expression in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. How does Junior express himself creatively? What creative expression relates to Junior’s parents and his sister? Do you think that this novel’s illustrations help to convey the theme of creative expression? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of poverty and family in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. How does Junior define “poverty” for the reader? What does “family” mean to Junior in the beginning of the story? How do both of these concepts change meaning for Junior by the end of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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