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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 Micheltorena?

2. Who is sitting on a bench by his front door?

3. How do Eileen's family leave their homeland?

4. What does Eileen say about Mariana?

5. What does the party searching for Juan lead?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jaime Mulkerin come to own the ranch, and where is Jaime now?

2. How does Sean come to be a sailor?

3. How does Eileen's family end up in Spain and then how does Eileen end up in Mexico?

4. What can be seen from the Mulkerin front porch?

5. What does Silva believe about the area and how do most of the others react to his beliefs?

6. Who is Juan?

7. What does Juan say to Sean, Montero, Eileen and Mariana when they arrive at his home?

8. Describe the Mulkerin ranch house.

9. Describe the Mulkerin's discussion about gold after Sean arrives home.

10. How does Eileen end up moving to Malibu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes a book more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Louis L'Amour.

2. What in Louis L'Amour's background may have helped him in writing "The Californios"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "The Californios" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "The Californios"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "The Californios" to discuss and compare a characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Choose two incidences in "The Californios" and compare/contrast the way Juan's culture and the western, white culture view those incidents.

2. Write an argument/persuasion essay addressing the idea of assimilation versus a group keeping their own culture when they live within a larger culture.

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This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample