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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 catches up to Billy and Boyd when they are trying to escape with their horses?

2. In Billy's dream, what does Boyd reply when Billy asks him what it's like to be dead?

3. Where does Billy cross the border back into the United States?

4. What fact about Boyd does Billy tell the girl?

5. Where does Billy find shelter from the desert rain one evening?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Where does Billy search for Boyd and what does he learn about his brother?

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

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

6. Who does Billy visit before setting off on another long trip?

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

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

9. How do Billy, Boyd and the young girl survive over the next few days and what is their ultimate arrangement?

10. What physical defect disqualifies Billy from enlisting in the army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Explain the symbolism of the light turning rapidly from noon to dusk for Billy. What was the author's intent by painting this image? What message does McCarthy hope to leave for the reader in such symbolism?

Essay Topic 3

McCarthy uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony. What is the major irony in the story? Explain.

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