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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 Tobias do to cause the orange trees to bloom successfully?

2. Who insists that Emma be buried back at the homestead?

3. How does Zech die?

4. Why does Sol leave the MacIvey homestead?

5. Where does the local doctor tell Zech there is a specialist who might be able to remove the bullet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the oranges reflect the state of Tobias and the MacIvey family after Emma's death?

2. What event in 1892 causes Tobias to wonder about the future of the cattle driving business?

3. How does Tawanda react to Zech's marriage?

4. How does Zech deal with the cattle rustlers in 1896?

5. When and how is Zech killed?

6. What is the contrast between Emma and Tobias on Zech's wedding day?

7. How does Glenda die, and what advice does Zech give to Sol afterward?

8. How does Zech see Tawanda for the second time?

9. What advice does Tobias give to Zech after the cows are slaughtered?

10. How has the price of cattle grown in 1892, and what important land decision does Zech make after the cattle drive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tobias' willingness to help others proves to be an integral part of his family's success. Describe three examples of how Tobias' kindness is rewarded later on in his life and how it has a positive effect on the MacIvey family. Using the examples you provide, explain the main point that the author is delivering through Tobias and his acts of kindness.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the events that lead to Willie and James' death. Why do they travel to see Tobias? What is it about the laws that cause them to seek cows from the MacIvey family? What is ironic about the way they die, considering they are trying to follow the law? Also, include how Tobias responds to the deaths and what it depicts in his character.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Sol and Toby's relationship from the way it began to their last meeting, which occurs at the beginning of the book. Use the entire story as a reference in describing their disagreement, the major differences in how they each view the world, the reasons for those differences, and how they are eventually resolved. Also, include how the author uses irony in this part of the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 948 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample