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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 did the color of the wood on the train look like?
(a) The color of shoe polish.
(b) Dark as the surface of a pool of oil.
(c) The color of a beautiful brown horse.
(d) Gleaming like a wooden coach.

2. What does Scratchy do with the weapon he is trying to load when he sees Jack?
(a) Puts it in the holster.
(b) Fumbles it and drops it.
(c) Drops it to the ground.
(d) Loads it and shoots.

3. Why does Jack tell Scratchy to shoot him now?
(a) He will never get another chance.
(b) He is not afraid.
(c) He is the happiest he's ever going to be.
(d) He is ready to die.

4. What does Scratchy think about what Jack has to say?
(a) He thinks Jack has gone crazy.
(b) He thinks Jack is lying.
(c) he thinks Jack is being funny.
(d) He thinks he didn't hear Jack right.

5. What is Jack's wife's reaction to Scratchy?
(a) She stands bravely as if expecting this.
(b) She turns red with embarrassment.
(c) She starts to cry.
(d) She turns yellow, like she's seen a snake.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the distance between Scratchy and Jack when they meet?

2. Why is Scratchy's face red?

3. What is Jack about to do when he sees Scratchy?

4. What does the dog do when he finally sees Scratchy?

5. What does Scratchy do to scare the dog?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think the dog has been shot before? Why did he not move when he heard Scratchy coming up the street?

2. What does Scratchy do with the piece of paper he found? What is he practicing? Could this be dangerous?

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

4. When Jack encounters Scratchy, does he show fear? Why do you think that?

5. 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?

6. The author writes that Jack's house looks at Scratchy like a great stone god. What is the symbolism of this?

7. 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?

8. The author alludes to fighting 200 Mexicans. What does this tell us about the history of Yellow Sky?

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

10. Does Jack Potter seem unafraid? Why? Does he know that Scratchy will not shoot him? Or does he feel he is ready if he is shot? Does Jack understand that Scratchy will have some ethics involved here?

(see the answer keys)

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