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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. Why is Francisco lagging behind the other man?

2. What does Eileen plan to tell the people in the area?

3. What sounds are coming from the hills?

4. Who is with Francisco in the mountains?

5. How does Russell feel as he is leaving the cave?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the voices say about Russell?

2. What occurs when Eileen and Sean stop at a local merchant's store?

3. What are Russell and Francisco doing in the mountains, and why does Francisco anger Russell?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Silva tell Wooston that angers Wooston, and what concerns Machado and Russell?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Californios" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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