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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 war does the old man of the ranch discuss with John Grady during their first conversation?

2. What does the person that drove across the desert say his car grill was filled with after it was over?

3. What event does Mac talk about going on for too long after leaving the horse auction?

4. What is the name of the whorehouse the men visit at the beginning of the book?

5. Who tries relentlessly to break a wild horse near the beginning of Chapter I?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is John Grady's attempts at taming a wild horse at the beginning of the book described?

2. How does Billy describe a fight between his brother Johnny and their father before his brother's death?

3. What happens to Magdalena after she spends her first night with John Grady?

4. What does Troy say he is thinking about doing while on a long drive with Billy near the beginning of the book?

5. How is John Grady and Mac's game of chess described in Chapter 1?

6. How does Billy tease John Grady after he stays up all night trying to tame a wild horse?

7. How does Troy describe a long drive he once took in the desert?

8. How does John Grady tell Mac he knew a man's horse was lame when he brought it to them?

9. What happens when a man brings his horse to be trained at Mac's ranch in Chapter 1?

10. What is the nature of Billy and John Grady's conversation regarding Mr. Johnson in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of work ethic that is presented in the book. What can we learn about the nature of John Grady's character based on his incredible work ethic, both positively and negatively? How might his work ethic have played a role in his eventual demise?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concept of compassion that is presented in the book. What can we learn about the nature of characters like Billy based on his consistent acts of compassion towards his friends, family and even strangers?

Essay Topic 3

The presence of violence plays an important role in the book and allows the author to display excellent visual portrayals. Part 1.) What might the author wish to show about the nature of his characters based on the numerous acts of violence portrayed throughout the book? Part 2.) How does the author make use of visual imagery in his writing more during violent scenes than in others, and what purpose might he have for using this method? Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Billy's character based on his tendency to stay away from violent acts although often having experience with them?

(see the answer keys)

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