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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 does Wooston learn that angers him?

2. Why does Wooston want to take Russell away?

3. What do Tennison and Sean talk about concerning people's hands?

4. Why is Sean hunting?

5. Why does Sean wake Mariana?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Eileen distraught when she and Juan get to the gold?

2. What is Los Angeles like at the time of the setting of "The Californios"?

3. What is Russell's appearance and explanation when he arrives at the fandango?

4. Why does Sean waken Mariana while they are on the trail and what does he tell her?

5. What thoughts run through Eileen's mind while she is thinking about the gold when Juan is resting?

6. What is the situation at the ranch when Eileen and the others arrive back there?

7. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

8. What happens to Russell after he leaves the cave?

9. Who does Eileen meet at the store, and what is his reaction to her story about the gold?

10. What does Eileen decide in order to "buy" time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "The Californios"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "The Californios" and include why you believe it is an example of foreshadowing. Include specific examples from the book.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Californios" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Californios" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "The Californios" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written as serious literary fiction versus fiction that is solely written for entertainment? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Californios" a successful novel? What about those in academe?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Californios" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Californios" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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