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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 kind of area are the wild animals responsible for killing on the ranch found in Chapter 3?

2. Who does Billy call and tell to not allow John Grady to leave after Magdalena is murdered?

3. Who does John Grady ask to be Magdalena's godfather in the book?

4. Where does John Grady fall asleep after running away after murdering Eduardo?

5. Where is John Grady's second severe cut at on his body during his knife fight with Eduardo?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the dream of a stranger described to Billy in the epilogue?

2. How do the cowboys inadvertently break the necks of some wild dogs they track in Chapter 3?

3. How are Billy's actions described when he goes to the White Lake after Magdalena's death?

4. How is Eduardo killed?

5. How are John Grady and Billy able to save the litter of puppies they find trapped on the mesa?

6. What happens when Magdalena gets into the car at the cafe with the person she believes was hired by John Grady?

7. What happens when Magdalena has a seizure while she is with a client in Chapter 3?

8. What is the nature of the blind man's response to John Grady when he asks him to pray for him?

9. How is Billy described when he is first seen in 2002?

10. How is Billy's work with a family at the end of the book described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Horses play a starring role in many parts of the book and allow the reader to better understand the book's characters based on their treatment of these animals. Part 1.) What do horses appear to mean and represent to the cowboys in the book, and what role do they play in their everyday life? Part 2.) Considering this role, what can we learn about John Grady's motivations when he decides to sell his horse in order to marry Magdalena? Part 3.) How does the author use horses as a way of judging the character of the cowboys?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concept of sacrifice that is presented in the book. Why does John Grady decide to sacrifice everything he has in order to have Magdalena, and what can we learn about the nature of his character based on his acts of sacrifice?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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