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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 arrives at the party?

2. What does Wooston learn that angers him?

3. Of whom is Russell said to be an enemy?

4. What is Juan careful to do?

5. About what does Sean speak to Montero?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Francisco try to convince Russell of and what is Russell's response?

4. What happens when Russell wakes in the night, and what does he do in the morning?

5. Who are the men that Sean meets who Montero sends to help the Mulkerin family?

6. What does Sean say to Wooston and Machado and what are their responses?

7. What does Eileen order at the store and why?

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

9. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

10. What happens that makes Russell leave the cave?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "The Californios".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of this book. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "The Californios". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of how Machado is on somewhat friendly terms with Sean Mulkerin by the end of the book. What other situations contain irony in "The Californios"?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "The Californios:. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "The Californios" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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