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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 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.

2. What does Scratchy say when Jack tells him of his morning?
(a) "You're a coward."
(b) "Then go inside and get your guns."
(c) "It's all off then."
(d) "I don't care. I'll shoot you anyways."

3. How does the author describe the town through Scratchy's mind?
(a) It is wearing for him.
(b) It is dangerous to him.
(c) It is a toy for him.
(d) It is a joke to him.

4. What does Scratchy do with his weapons when he realizes that it is all over?
(a) He puts them in the holsters.
(b) He drops them on the ground and walks away.
(c) He gives them to jack.
(d) He gives them to Jack's bride.

5. When he fires at the paper, how much does he miss it by?
(a) A yard.
(b) A mile.
(c) A foot.
(d) A 1/2 inch.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jack remind Scratchy of when he picks up his suitcase to part?

2. The long revolvers on Scratchy's hands are as easy as what?

3. Where was the shirt made?

4. What does Jack think of when he is faced with the barrel of Scratchy's gun?

5. What does Jack do with his suitcase when he sees Scratchy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the stillness and silence of the city signify? Why does the author state that the silence was like the "arch of a tomb" over Scratchy's head?

4. 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?

5. Scratchy is described as a "wonder" with a gun, and, even drunk, seems to have amazing command of his weapons. What do you think Scratchy would shoot like sober? Does this tell the reader something about the kind of gun-fighter he used to be?

6. Why does the couple walk quickly to get to Jack's house? What are they afraid of? If they had not been so afraid, could they have avoided trouble?

7. When Scratchy says, "there ain't a man his Texas that don't have a gun" do you think that's true? Think back to the scene in the bar. Did everyone have a gun?

8. What does Scratchy's attire tell the reader about him?

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

(see the answer keys)

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