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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the porter do for Jack as they approach Yellow Sky?
(a) Brushes off his suit.
(b) Gives him a shave.
(c) Pulls his luggage from the overhead bins.
(d) Cleans his shoes.

2. What do the men in the bar say as they hear Scratchy approaching?
(a) "Here he comes."
(b) "Shhh."
(c) "Where's Jack?"
(d) "Everyone quiet!"

3. Why does Jack remain so secretive?
(a) He thinks his bride is not very pretty.
(b) He doesn't want the town to know how much money he spent.
(c) He knows his bride is lower-class.
(d) Getting married so quickly is a scandal.

4. Where is the train going?
(a) Amarillo.
(b) Yellow Sky.
(c) San Antonio.
(d) Dallas.

5. What do all the men in the bar do as Scratcy approaches?
(a) They start drinking.
(b) They get quiet.
(c) They play cards and act as if nothing is wrong.
(d) They begin arguing.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who has never been on a train before?

2. How does the couple feel about each other?

3. What do the Mexicans do for a living?

4. How many minutes before the train arrives in Yellow Sky are the men talking in the bar?

5. As Scratchy approaches, one man gestures toward the barkeep for something. What does he want?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Texas as viewed from the train.

2. Why does Jack refer to his wife as "girl?" What does this tell us about him? Is this an endearment? Why? Why not?

3. Explain the significance of the character of the drummer?

4. What is Scratchy known for? What is his past?

5. Describe the character of the town of Yellow Sky. What is Jack's position in the town? How is he viewed by others?

6. Why does the author say the bride has cooked before? What gives the reader the clue to her background?

7. The author describes the grassy plots across the street from the bar as looking like grass on a stage. What does this tell the reader about the times and entertainment?

8. How quickly do you think this couple made the decision to be married?

9. What is the symbolism of the little silver watch? Why did Jack by this for his bride? What is this a symbol of?

10. What is the symbolism of Jack's "brick colored" hands? What does this tell the reader about Jack?

(see the answer keys)

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