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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. In Junior's drawing of the boys in Chapter 29: "Remembering," he writes a note that boys can hold hands until they are what age?

2. Junior says in Chapter 22: "Red Versus White," "I've learned that white people, especially fathers, are good at" what?

3. What does Mary say she has begun to do in her spare time in Chapter 19: "My Sister Sends Me a Letter"?

4. What team is Penelope playing against in the volleyball match in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?

5. What do Junior and Rowdy exchange in their encounter in Chapter 26: "Rowdy and I Have a Serious Discussion about Basketball"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story does Arnold Spirit, Sr. tell his son in encouraging him to try out for the basketball team in Chapter 20: "Reindeer Games"?

2. How does Junior describe the contradictions of his identity in Chapter 17: "Dance, Dance, Dance"?

3. How are the deaths of Eugene and Bobby described in Chapter 24: "Valentine Heart"?

4. What exchange takes place between Junior and the television reporter in Chapter 25: "In Like a Lion"?

5. What philosophical discussion do Junior and Gordy have regarding race and identity in Chapter 18: "Don't Trust Your Computer"?

6. What causes the students to stand up and walk out of Junior's class in Chapter 24: "Valentine Heart"?

7. How does Mary describe her circumstances in her letter to Junior in Chapter 19: "My Sister Sends Me a Letter"?

8. What are Junior's chances of making the Reardan basketball team in Chapter 20: "Reindeer Games"? How does Junior do?

9. How does Penelope discover the truth of Junior's poverty? How does she respond?

10. Where is Junior in the memory that he describes with Rowdy in Chapter 30: "Talking About Turtles"? What do they discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the establishment of Native American Reservations and the history of the education systems within the Reservations. What were the initial objectives of educators on the Reservations? How did these objectives change over time? How are education systems different on the Reservations today? How are these historical aspects imparted through the character of Mr. P in the story?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Define the genre of Bildungsroman, or coming-of-age story, and discuss how this genre applies to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Consider the character of Junior when we first meet him as a reader in Chapter 1. In what ways does Junior “come of age” in the narrative? How is Junior changed at the end of the story?

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