View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the cords of Scratchy's neck do?

2. What is the beauty of the train a symbol for in Jack's mind?

3. What is Jack's wife's reaction to Scratchy?

4. What does the stillness of the town form over Scratchy?

5. Scratcy's yelling is met by what on Main Street?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Does Scratchy introduce himself to Jack's new wife? Why? Why not? How does he feel when he realizes that he is confronted with Jack's wife?

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

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

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

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

8. When the bride and groom round the corner and meet Scratchy, what is Jack about to do? How would this scene have been different if Scratchy hadn't been there?

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. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does the couple run home? Why do they not want to see anybody on the way? What are they afraid will happen?

Essay Topic 2

What does the scenery out the train window and the encounter with Scratchy at the end of the story have in common? What does each scene tell us about the future of the Old West?

Essay Topic 3

How is this story like other westerns you've read? What is the same? What is different? What about the hero and the foe? How are they the same? Different? What about the ending? Did you expect this ending? Why? Why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample