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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When does the dog break into a gallop?
(a) When Scratchy shoots in the air.
(b) When Scratchy shoots at the bar.
(c) When Scratchy kills the rabbit.
(d) When Scratchcy yells at him.

2. What does Scratchy hold in each hand?
(a) A blue-black revolver.
(b) A dueling sword.
(c) A small pistol.
(d) A Winchester shotgun.

3. What is Jack's wife's reaction to Scratchy?
(a) She turns yellow, like she's seen a snake.
(b) She turns red with embarrassment.
(c) She starts to cry.
(d) She stands bravely as if expecting this.

4. What does Jack think of when he is faced with the barrel of Scratchy's gun?
(a) The beauty of the train.
(b) His home.
(c) His wedding.
(d) His wife.

5. Scratchy fumes at Jack's house like what?
(a) Like the winter wind attacking a prairie cabin in the North.
(b) Like a war, with gunshots heard all round.
(c) Like a Texas river running over her banks.
(d) Like a Texas sunrise, red as fire.

6. How do Jack and his wife walk through the town?
(a) They cover their heads from the rain.
(b) Slowly.
(c) They run.
(d) Sheepishly and quickly.

7. What did the color of the wood on the train look like?
(a) Gleaming like a wooden coach.
(b) The color of a beautiful brown horse.
(c) The color of shoe polish.
(d) Dark as the surface of a pool of oil.

8. What is the distance between Scratchy and Jack when they meet?
(a) Twenty paces.
(b) Three paces.
(c) Ten paces.
(d) Six paces.

9. How does the author describe the fact that Jack has trouble speaking when he sees Scratchy?
(a) "Like glue on his tongue."
(b) "His mouth was a grave for his tongue."
(c) "His mouth was filled with sand."
(d) "His mouth was dry and he couldn't speak."

10. At the end of Chapter 3 Scratchy is in the deepest rage over what?
(a) Jack's chickens.
(b) Jack's refusal to fight.
(c) Jack's hiding in the house.
(d) The immobility of the hosue.

11. Why does Jack tell Scratchy to shoot him now?
(a) He is ready to die.
(b) He is not afraid.
(c) He will never get another chance.
(d) He is the happiest he's ever going to be.

12. What do the cords of Scratchy's neck do?
(a) Sink into his neck and disappear.
(b) Pop out in red veins.
(c) Straighten and sink as passion moves him.
(d) Nothing.

13. What does Scratchy do at the end of Chapter 3 as he waits for Jack to appear?
(a) He goes to the train station.
(b) He walks back to the bar.
(c) He reloads his guns.
(d) He keeps shouting.

14. How does Jack's house regard Scratchy?
(a) Like a tree.
(b) Like a friend.
(c) Like a stone god.
(d) Like a laughing face.

15. What part of the country are Scratchy's boots from?
(a) New York.
(b) New England.
(c) Florida.
(d) Chicago.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Jack not armed on his wedding day?

2. What is Jack about to do when he sees Scratchy?

3. What is Scratchy's reaction when he misses the piece of paper?

4. How does Scratchy secure the piece of paper that he shoots at?

5. Why can't Scratchy believe that Jack is unarmed?

(see the answer keys)

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