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. How does the Kid's mother die?

2. How long has the Mexican war been over?

3. What does Toadvine tell Glanton so they can join the gang?

4. What does the Kid's father use to bury his grief?

5. Why won't the men shoot the horse?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the fight with the bear.

2. How do the cattlemen help out the Kid?

3. How does the kid get robbed?

4. What does the company find at the hut?

5. What bad luck does the Kid have at the end of the chapter?

6. Why does the Judge walk around the ruins of the village?

7. Describe the Kid's time in town with the other recruits.

8. Describe the fight between the Indians and the gang.

9. What do the prisoners see when they are let out of their cells?

10. How does the Kid get the whiskey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: "The violence in Blood Meridian is often unnecessary and serves little purpose." Use two examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1850s. How does McCarthy express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's society?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motives? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 823 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample