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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. Billy finds a job with an outfit formerly known as _________________.

2. What does Billy tell the stranger about Boyd?

3. Who is tending more of the Parhams' horses when Billy and Boyd find them?

4. What does Billy do in the days after he buries Boyd?

5. What does the border guard tell Billy when he crosses back into the U.S.?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author show what Billy is thinking in this story?

2. Why does the army recruiter seem to take a special interest in Billy?

3. How does Billy finally obtain papers of ownership for the stolen horses?

4. Why are some of the people in a bar mad at Billy without even knowing him?

5. What does Billy learn about how Boyd died?

6. What does Billy do when he arrives in Deming and who shows Billy kindness?

7. How does Boyd begin to attain the role of a folk hero?

8. Describe the dog that tries to share the barn with Billy to escape the rain.

9. What obstacles does Billy have when he tries to enlist in the army?

10. What are the circumstances in which Boyd gets shot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Boyd Parham. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Billy Parham. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point?

Essay Topic 3

Nature takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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