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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. What is the response of Junior's parents when he asks them in Chapter 6: "Go Means Go," "Who has the most hope?"

2. Junior says that the only paper route on the reservation is owned by a tribal elder named what, in Chapter 2: "Why Chicken Means So Much to Me"?

3. What does Mr. P tell Junior he has to do in order to find happiness and hope in Chapter 5: "Hope Against Hope"?

4. On what date were both Junior and Rowdy born?

5. What medicine does Junior say he was prescribed to prevent seizures as a child in Chapter 1: "The Black Eye of the Month Club"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What advice does Mr. P give to Junior in Chapter 5: "Hope Against Hope"? Why?

5. Why does Mr. P tell Junior that he forgives him in Chapter 5: "Hope Against Hope"?

6. What do Junior's parents initially think when he tells them of his plans in Chapter 6: "Go Means Go"?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the financing and structure of Native American Reservations. When was the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed and what was its objectives? How does gaming factor into the finances of Native American Reservations today? How many casinos are there and how do they fare financially? How are these realities depicted in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the author uses symbolism, metaphor, and character to further illustrate the themes of identity and poverty in Chapter 11: “Halloween.” Consider Junior’s and Penelope’s Halloween costumes. What does each costume represent symbolically to the wearer? How is this relative to the theme of identity? How does Junior “identify” with poverty versus how Penelope identifies with this concept?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the history of the Spokane Indians and the setting of the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington. How many families live on the Spokane Indian Reservation? What aspects of the history, culture, and beliefs of the Spokane Indians stand out to you? How are these cultural elements displayed in the novel?

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