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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. When the man comes to the door of the bar with his warning, what does the drummer ask him to do?
(a) Come in for a drink.
(b) Go away.
(c) Forget it.
(d) Follow the Mexicans.

2. When the bride is nervous, what does Jack tell her?
(a) That everything is O.K.
(b) That he is rich.
(c) That she looks beautiful.
(d) That they can stay on the train and not get off.

3. How do the men in the bar know Scratchy is approaching?
(a) They hear the dog bark.
(b) They hear the Mexican yelling.
(c) They hear yelling and gunshots.
(d) They hear someone yelp who's been hit.

4. What does Jack do in Yellow Sky?
(a) He is the town drummer.
(b) He is the town barkeeper.
(c) He is the town marshal.
(d) He is a salesman.

5. What is the name of the bar?
(a) The Mexican Cantina.
(b) The Weary Horseman.
(c) The Weary Gentleman.
(d) Yellow Sky Saloon.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the bartender pull from beneath the bar?

2. What town has Jack traveled to?

3. What is Scratchy like when he is drunk?

4. What is the general demeanor of the couple?

5. What does the station-agent do when he sees Jack?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the reaction of the men in the bar to the news that Scratchy is on the loose? Do their actions seemed rehearsed? Why? Why not? What does this tell the reader about the town in general?

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

5. Jack sits with a hand on each knee like a man waiting for a barber to cut his hair. What does this tell us about Jack?

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

7. What does the drummer say to the man who comes to the door with the warning?

8. What is the drummer's reaction to Jack's job? Do you get the sense that this is unusual for the drummer? He is a traveling man, but is not prepared for this. What does this say about the town of Yellow Sky?

9. What did Jack once do to Scratchy? Why is this important to the story? Do these men really feel that they cannot handle the situation without Jack, or do they just not want to?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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