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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. Which of Cotton's body parts is injured while opening the final fence?

2. After witnessing the slaughter, how does Wheaties behave at the dinner table?

3. Which of the following participants did NOT shoot and kill a bull buffalo?

4. Who do the Bedwetters imagine seeing them as they herd the buffalo toward the final fence?

5. What is the name of the area where the buffalo will hopefully be released for good?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Bedwetters react when they see the state agents coming toward them in the pickup trucks and Jeep?

2. Who was the first person to kill a bull buffalo while the Bedwetters watched?

3. What camp animal did Lally Two bond with, and how?

4. How did the Bedwetters find themselves present at a buffalo hunting event?

5. What is the significance of Cotton's questions about sheep and shepherds after Teft's piranha story?

6. How did Teft end up at Box Canyon Boys' Camp?

7. What is the moral in Teft's story about the piranha?

8. What is so surprising about the final fence the Bedwetters encounter at the south end of the buffalo reserve?

9. Why weren't the Bedwetters given credit for their successful raid of the cabins?

10. How did the Bedwetters finally win the Apache buffalo head?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Swarthout define manhood in the novel? First, describe the definitions of manhood present in Box Canyon Boys' Camp. How does one act like a man in this setting? Then, compare / contrast that to the definition of manhood the Bedwetters have. Which definition do you think is closer to Swarthout's as the author? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

This novel is fascinated with the idea of masculinity and coming-of-age. There is no doubt that the Bedwetters have a distinct definition of manhood, but where did they learn it? Describe at least two "manly" behaviors the Bedwetters take part in and discuss who they might be modeling themselves after. Who are the clear role models for the Bedwetters? Does this surprise you? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

In the opening of the novel, Cotton has a disturbing dream about the buffalo reserve where he and his fellow camp mates travel later in the novel. What are the important elements of Cotton's dreams? What message can be drawn from the imagery? In what way is Cotton's dream foreshadowing for the later events of the novel? Be sure to use examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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