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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 ailment does Colonel Stonehill say is “making its annual visitation” in Chapter 5?

2. Of Mrs. Floyd, Mattie says in Chapter 5 that she “could no more keep her mouth closed than can a” what?

3. Who does Moon say his brother is in Chapter 6?

4. Rooster Cogburn learns from the storekeeper that Lucky Ned Pepper had been seen three days earlier with a robber called what in Chapter 6?

5. According to Ranger LaBoeuf’s papers in Chapter 4, he works out of a place called Ysleta outside of what Texas city?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is LaBoeuf’s reply when Mattie asks him why Tom Chaney supposedly shot a Texas senator?

2. How is the “dugout” described when Mattie, Rooster, and LaBoeuf arrive there in Chapter 6?

3. How is the photograph described that LaBoeuf shows to Mattie in Chapter 4? How does she respond?

4. What does Rooster do to the boys and mule when Mattie, LaBoeuf, and Rooster arrive at the store in Chapter 6?

5. What information does LaBoeuf relate to Mattie about his profession and assignment in Chapter 4?

6. What “grub” has Rooster Cogburn brought along for the trip, according to Mattie in Chapter 6?

7. What is Mattie’s reply when LaBoeuf asks her who she has hired to hunt down Tom Chaney in Chapter 4?

8. What is Rooster Cogburn’s response when he hears of the reward offered for Tom Chaney by the state of Texas?

9. What opinions does Mattie assert regarding prohibition in Chapter 4?

10. What news of Lucky Ned’s gang has Rooster Cogburn learned from Bagby in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Ranger LaBoeuf in True Grit. What does LaBoeuf tell Mattie he wants to do about the criminal Tom Chaney? How long has LaBoeuf been following the murderer? Why does Mattie not want any involvement with LaBoeuf in tracking down the murderer?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the racial relations in the United States following the Civil War. How are these race relations illustrated in True Grit? How does Mattie’s relationship with and behavior toward Yarnell Poindexter differ from how he is treated by other white characters in the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the history of the Texas Ranger Division. What role did the Texas Rangers play in the American Civil War? Why have so many works of literature and film revolved around Texas Rangers? What impressions does Mattie have of LaBoeuf’s fancy “getup”?

(see the answer keys)

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