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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 Bell say is obvious?

2. Who is Mariana supposed to find?

3. How is Eileen described as looking as she rides?

4. About what does Eileen hint at to the merchant?

5. Why does Wooston want to take Russell away?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

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

3. What do the voices say about Russell?

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

5. Who arrives at the party unexpectedly and how does he make Sean jealous?

6. What happens when Eileen goes to wake up Juan?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

"The Californios", like many western novels, involves the act of murder. Discuss the following:

1. What is murder? Is the act of murder always clearly murder?

2. Do you think the death of Wooston, who is a known murderer, is at all tragic? Why or why not?

3. Is murder ever justified? Why or why not.

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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