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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 Juan warn Eileen not to do?

2. What does Wooston learn that angers him?

3. Where does Sean tell Mariana to ride if Machado's men find them?

4. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

5. In whom does Sean have faith to help him with Machado's men?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

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

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

4. What happens that makes Russell leave the cave?

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

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

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

8. How many men does Sean observe who are after them and what is Montero doing?

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

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

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

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "The Californios" is successful as a western novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Louis L'Amour's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Californios" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Sean Mulkerin What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Eileen. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Zeke Wooston. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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