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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 Gus offer for "a poke" regardless of whether Lorena wins at cutting the cards or not?

2. The morning after the storm, who is missing?

3. What does Deets use to help Jake?

4. What does Jake want to borrow from Call?

5. Who sings a mournful ballad to the cattle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jake tell Call about he and Lorena tagging along the herd?

2. Not long after Sean's death there is another accident, though not fatal this time. What happens?

3. What bothers Newt most about the crew's negative remarks about Jake?

4. How does Jake respond when Gus comes into Jake and Lorena's camp?

5. How does Wilbarger sway Call to make a decision about his restlessness?

6. How does Gus teach the bartender to respect him and Call?

7. What upsets Call when Jake tells him his and Lorena's plans?

8. What does Gus do after the battle with Blue Duck's men?

9. Why does the bartender at the bar in San Antonio make Gus so mad?

10. Why does Gus send Newt to watch Lorena, instead of Dish?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Different characters approach the issue of responsibility differently. Two characters that especially take opposite approaches to responsibility are Jake Spoon and July Johnson.

Part 1) Compare and contrast July Johnson and Jake Spoon. In what ways are they similar? How are they different?

Part 2) How does July's approach to the law affect the story? How do Jake's choices regarding the law affect the story? Cite examples from the novel for each character's choice and the subsequent effect of those choices.

Part 3) How do Jake and July differ with regards to responsibility? How is July responsible? How is he irresponsible? How is Jake responsible? How is he irresponsible?

Essay Topic 2

Call and Gus have been friends for many years before the start of the novel. Write an essay about the relationship between Call and Gus. Why are they friends? How do they help each other or work as a team? Why does Gus ask Call to take his body to Texas? Why does Call agree?

Essay Topic 3

Clara accuses Call of ruining his and Gus's life.

Part 1) Did Call ruin Gus's life? How or how not? Use examples from the novel to support your answer.

Part 2) Did Call ruin his own life? How or how not?

Part 3) Does Call ruin Clara's life? In what way? Does she blame Call for Gus's death?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample