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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 station-agent do when he sees Jack?
(a) Waves his hands and runs toward them.
(b) Calls his name and gets his luggage.
(c) Remains seated in his chair.
(d) Smiles and waves.

2. What do the objects across the street from the bar resemble?
(a) The blue of the ocean.
(b) The vastness of the desert.
(c) The grass on the theater stage.
(d) The yellow of a cliff.

3. How do the people of Yellow Sky feel about Jack?
(a) They adore him.
(b) They think he drinks too much.
(c) He is not well-liked.
(d) He is well-liked.

4. Where did the old gang hang out?
(a) In the caves outside of town.
(b) Along the river.
(c) At the station.
(d) At the old rustler's cabin.

5. What can be seen from the train window?
(a) Small farms that look abandoned.
(b) Rivers only.
(c) Texas, green grass, clumps of houses, trees.
(d) Texas like a desert.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does a man in the bar tell the drummer about what is about to happen?

2. Who notices that the groom is particularly happy?

3. Why does Jack remain so secretive?

4. What do the men in the bar say as they hear Scratchy approaching?

5. Why does the bride become anxious?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the town. Detail the colors and textures as experienced by a visitor. Why do you think the story is set in this town?

2. At the opening of Chapter 2, describe the scene in the Weary Gentleman. What is the feeling? Is the town relaxed and pleasant? Why? Why not? What tensions do you feel at this point in the story?

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

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

5. Explain the role of the African-American porters in this story. How do they regard the couple? Why? Is this alluding to a reverse of racial attitudes of the times?

6. 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?

7. When seated behind the bar, the barkeeper seems quite comfortable with this situation. Why?

8. When the barkeeper tells the drummer about Scratchy and his past, what do you think of the barkeeper? What does he really feel for Scratchy? What does Scratchy really feel for him?

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

(see the answer keys)

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