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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. Where do Billy, Boyd, and the young girl stay for awhile?

2. How is Billy's horse wounded in the encounter with some rogue riders?

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

4. The woman who gives food to Billy also reads his palm and tells him about __________________.

5. What does Billy learn when he returns to the home of the doctor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the woman who reads Billy's palm tell him?

2. Describe the altercation Billy has with some bandits as he travels with Boyd's body.

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

4. What does the dog symbolize for Billy?

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

6. What name does Billy use when he signs the army enlistment form?

7. What do Billy and Boyd do when they find some of the horses that were stolen from their ranch?

8. What does Billy's jealousy of Boyd's relationship with the girl prompt Billy to tell the girl?

9. What does Billy do when he finds Boyd's grave?

10. What help does Billy secure for the wounded Boyd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does McCarthy use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

THE CROSSING is written in the Western genre. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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