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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 type of house does the Mulkerin family have?

2. What is the source of the Mikerin family's spiritual courage?

3. Why does Juan say it is important for the party to remember the route?

4. Where is Eileen's father killed?

5. What is near the open porch?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sean come to meet Mariana?

2. Why does Juan not think there is a reason to share much about his people and their history?

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

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

7. Why does Juan say he must go with the group, and why must they learn the route?

8. How does Sean come to be a sailor?

9. How is Mariana received at the Mulkerin home?

10. What does Juan say about men following them and what is Sean's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Californios" belongs to the western novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fictional memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think are the differences between western fiction and a southern fiction?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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