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 does Scratchy do with the weapon he is trying to load when he sees Jack?

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

3. What does Jack say he'd have done if he'd known that Scratchy would be there waiting for him?

4. What orders about moving does Scratchy shoot at jack?

5. How does the author describe the walking pattern of the couple heading toward home?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. How does the author describe the gunman's anger? Describe the muscles in his neck. What are they doing? How does he look?

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

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. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the porters as characters. Do you think being a porter was a good job at this time? Do you think they traveled? How do they regard the couple? Why? Why do they feel superior to this couple?

Essay Topic 2

It is described that the man sits on the train with one hand on each knee like he's waiting for a barber. What does the author mean by this? What is he trying to tell the reader about the character? How would the man usually sit if he were a regular traveler?

Essay Topic 3

From the information given in the story, where do you think Scratchy is from? What does the story tell us about his childhood? What clues does the author give us about his past with the gang?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 847 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample