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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 Scratchy do when he arrives at Jack's house?
(a) He howls a challenge.
(b) He starts shooting.
(c) He is silent.
(d) He stumbles and falls.

2. How does Scratchy secure the piece of paper that he shoots at?
(a) With a nail.
(b) With his knife.
(c) With a pin.
(d) With his pistol.

3. What is Jack about to do when he sees Scratchy?
(a) Shoot Scratchy.
(b) Point out his home to his bride.
(c) Dance with his bride.
(d) Carry his bride over the threshold.

4. When do Jack and his wife encounter Scratchy?
(a) As they round the corner toward their house.
(b) As they walk down main street.
(c) Stepping off the train.
(d) At the train station.

5. What does the dog do when he finally sees Scratchy?
(a) He watches him carefully.
(b) He gets up and walks away growling.
(c) He wimpers to be petted.
(d) He runs at Scratchy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Jack doesn't take Scratchy for a kid; he takes him for a what?

2. Why is Scratchy's face red?

3. What does Scratchy want at the Weary Gentleman?

4. What does Scratchy accuse Jack of trying to do?

5. When he fires at the paper, how much does he miss it by?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the dog a symbol of? What is the dog supposed to be in this story?

2. Why does Jack remind Scratchy that he didn't make the trouble?

3. When Jack thinks back to the Pullman and all its beauty, what is this a symbol of?

4. Judging from Scratchy's question about Sunday School, do you think men in Yellow Sky carry guns to church?

5. Scratchy shoots twice and misses. Once at the paper and once at the dog. Do you think he misses the dog of purpose? Is he just trying to scare the dog? What about the paper?

6. How does Scratchy react to the closed door of the Weary Gentleman? Is this a ritual? Has this happened before?

7. What is the significance of the funnel-shaped tracks left by Scratchy's feet as he walks away from Jack and his wife?

8. Why would Jack not carry a gun on the day he is married?

9. What are all of the houses made of? What does this tell us about the area? What kind of weather do they encounter? What heritage do the Texans have?

10. Upon encountering Scratchy what does Jack do that gives the reader the idea that he's been in tough spots before? What does he do by instinct alone?

(see the answer keys)

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