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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. Who tries relentlessly to break a wild horse near the beginning of Chapter I?

2. What do the men take their dogs on a hunt for in Chapter 2?

3. What is the name of the man the men at Mac's ranch have a rivalry with?

4. What does Eduardo say Magdalena owes him money for when Billy meets him for the first time?

5. Who does Magdalena send a message to John Grady through when she cannot see him at the beginning of Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the cowboy's dog hunt for mountain lions described in the book?

2. How does Billy tease John Grady after he stays up all night trying to tame a wild horse?

3. What do we learn about Billy's experience with World War II near the beginning of the book?

4. How is the cowboy's rivalry with a man called Wolfenbarger described in the book?

5. What is Billy's reaction when John Grady tells him the girl he likes lives at the White Lake whore house?

6. What is the nature of Mac's thoughts after attending the horse auction in Chapter 2?

7. How does John Grady come to secure a home for he and Magdalena?

8. How is the house at Bell Springs first described in the book?

9. How is John Grady able to find the location of the young Mexican girl he first saw at the beginning of the book?

10. What is the nature of Billy and John Grady's conversation regarding Mr. Johnson in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The presence of violence plays an important role in the book and allows the author to display excellent visual portrayals. Part 1.) What might the author wish to show about the nature of his characters based on the numerous acts of violence portrayed throughout the book? Part 2.) How does the author make use of visual imagery in his writing more during violent scenes than in others, and what purpose might he have for using this method? Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Billy's character based on his tendency to stay away from violent acts although often having experience with them?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the author's portrayal of the nature of cowboy life in the book. What details and elements did the author use to accurately portray the lives of cowboys, and did he create a believable portrayal?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's portrayal of the concept of escape in the book. What symbolic meaning might the author wish for Magdalena and John Grady's attempts at escaping their own reality?

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