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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Scratchy do when he arrives at Jack's house?

2. What does Scratchy do when he sees Jack?

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

4. When does Scratchy first notice the bride?

5. Where does Scratchy find the piece of paper?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is the town Scratchy's friend or foe? How does Scratchy view the town? What is the town to him? Why does he regard the town in this way?

Essay Topic 2

What clues in the story give you the idea that the couple knew each other well? How do they appear comfortable with each other? What do they already know about each other? What gives you the idea that they have written to each other for some time?

Essay Topic 3

What is the difference between this story and other westerns? Who is the villain? Who is fighting the villain? Without a foe, where can this story go?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 710 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample