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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the first line of “Mercy Songs to Melancholy”?
(a) “We smoke more grass than we ever promise to plant.”
(b) “Who mines her throat?”
(c) “I found your blue suitcases.”
(d) “Betsy Ross needled hot stars to Mr. Washington’s bedspread.”

2. In posing a hypothetical about God, of which of the following does the narrator suggest God might have wings?
(a) Howlite.
(b) Chalcedony.
(c) Turquoise.
(d) Jade.

3. In a grove of which of the following does the narrator’s brother preside?
(a) Juniper.
(b) Salt cedar.
(c) Red oak.
(d) Mountain cedar.

4. To which of the following semi-precious stones does the narrator compare her front yard?
(a) Turquoise.
(b) Amethyst.
(c) Garnet.
(d) Topaz.

5. The collection defines “yenni” as which of the following?
(a) Assault.
(b) Drugs.
(c) Rock and roll.
(d) Sex.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following libations does the narrator assert angels drink from silver cups?

2. To which meal are Ken and Skipper confined?

3. Of which of the following fruits does the narrator note her brother’s clothes smell?

4. To which of the following flowers does the narrator compare her parents?

5. Which of the following is the first line of “Prayers or Oubliettes”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What living situation does the narrator describe for her brother when he was the Aztec of the title?

2. For what basketball skills is Reservation Mary’s suitor noted?

3. What comments does the narrator offer about the fact that her “parents’ hearts kept / growing back” (1)?

4. About what does the two-man band at The Injun That Could sing about?

5. What does the narrator note grows in front yards in “Reservation Grass”?

6. What does the narrator cite as possible sources of madness in “Other Small Thundering”?

7. What does the narrator note being given by history?

8. Based on the poem “Abecedarian Requiring Further Examination of Anglikan Seraphym Subjugation of a Wild Indian Rezervation,” what is an abecedarian poem?

9. What complaint does the narrator voice about raisins after eating them?

10. What does the narrator warn is the likely effect of an angel visiting the reservation?

(see the answer keys)

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