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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. When Chee telephones the hotel where Gaines is staying, how long have Ben Gaines and Miss Pauling known each other?

2. What is the name of the prime suspect in the Burnt Water Trading Post burglary?

3. According to the rumors that Chee shares with the owner of the Burnt Water Trading Post, what kind of drugs were being smuggled in on the Cessna?

4. When Chee telephones the hotel where Gaines is staying, where is Chee calling from?

5. According to Johnson, how many sets of tracks are visible at the plane crash site?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened on the day that Chee first met the owner of the Burnt Water Trading Post?

2. Why does the Cessna's pilot fly near Balakai Mesa on his route?

3. Describe the man who emerges from the car that drives to the crash site as Chee is looking for answers.

4. According to Lomatewa, why had Sotuknang destroyed the world?

5. After visiting the crash site and hearing Chee's explanation of events, what conclusion does the woman who emerged from the car draw?

6. What does Johnson assume took place when Chee and Gaines were talking at the plane crash site?

7. According to Chee, how does one become a good tracker?

8. What does Albert Lomatewa notice about the boot he sees fifteen yards away from him on the trail?

9. After escaping detection from the man investigating Chee's truck in the arroyo, Chee is nervous about returning to his vehicle. Describe Chee's actions as he goes back to his truck.

10. When Chee suddenly awakens in the arroyo, what sound first causes him to wake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, there are several attempts made on Chee's life.

a. Identify at least three attempts on Chee's life. Describe the situation and how Chee escapes.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that try to kill Chee, as well as these characters' motivations.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast how the character of Jim Chee changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Chee's character when he is first introduced in the story, when Chee begins investigating the plane crash, when Chee figures out why the vandalism is occurring, and when Chee finally throws the cocaine in the river. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Hillerman uses this story to examine the role that truth plays in our daily lives. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when the truth is distorted or hidden? What did you learn from the author's discussion on truth? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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