View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When was the Declaration of Texas Independence from Mexico ratified?

2. Where does Jeanne say the Colonel wanted Jonas to attend college in Chapter Eleven?

3. What is the date of Peter’s first diary entry in Chapter Twelve?

4. What is the name of the man that Prairie Flower is romantically involved with when she begins an affair with Eli in Chapter Nineteen?

5. What is done with Martin’s body after he is killed in Chapter Four?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe the narrative style of the first three chapters of the novel?

2. What time period is Chapter Four set in? How old is Eli, and what position does he have within his family?

3. What are Jeanne’s opinions of the Garcia family? How did Jeanne develop these opinions?

4. What information does Phineas present to Jeanne when she visits him in Austin in Chapter Twenty?

5. What concerns Jeanne the most as she faces her own death in Chapter Five?

6. What is related about Eli McCullough’s early life in Chapter One? Why do you think this information is important?

7. How are the circumstances of Eli’s Indian tribe described in 1851 in Chapter Twenty-two?

8. How does Sally respond to the situation after Charles has shot Dutch Hollis? Why does Peter disagree with Sally?

9. What internal conflicts does Peter face when Charles shoots Dutch Hollis?

10. How is the theme of ethnic bias illustrated in Chapters Nine through Thirteen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jeanne’s reasons for siding with Phineas regarding the future of the McCullough ranch in Chapter Twenty. Do you think that Jeanne might have had a different reaction to the situation if she had not been presented with college? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Peter McCullough’s account of the conflicts between the McCullough and Garcia families. How does Peter’s account of the events differ from his father’s? Who do you think is relating the truth of the matter? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze Peter’s relationship with Sally in the novel. How did Peter and Sally meet? What was their courtship like? How would you describe their relationship after marriage? Why does Sally go to Dallas and how does Peter respond to her leaving?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 917 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample