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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 accuse Jack of trying to do?
(a) Hide behind his wife.
(b) Shoot him.
(c) Lie to him.
(d) Sneak up on him.

2. What does Jack think of when he is faced with the barrel of Scratchy's gun?
(a) His wedding.
(b) His wife.
(c) The beauty of the train.
(d) His home.

3. What orders about moving does Scratchy shoot at jack?
(a) Not to move a breath.
(b) Not to move a wink.
(c) Not to move an inch,
(d) Not to move a finger, not an eyelash.

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

5. What color was the velvet on the train?
(a) Violet.
(b) black.
(c) Sea-green.
(d) Red.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is the barkeeper's dog doing when Scratchy approaches?

3. Where does Scratchy accuse Jack of coming from with no weapon?

4. How does Scratchy secure the piece of paper that he shoots at?

5. How does Jack's house regard Scratchy?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Does Scratchy finally fire at the windows of the bar like the barkeeper thought he would? Is it good that everyone inside took cover?

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

4. 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?

5. What is Scratchy's reaction to Jack telling him that he's married?

6. 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?

7. 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?

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

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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