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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. About what does Lonnie reminisce in the Prologue?
(a) His upcoming marriage.
(b) His sister's recent death.
(c) His father's recent death.
(d) His childhood on his family ranch in Texas.

2. What does Lonnie think young people want to do in the present?
(a) Nothing.
(b) Eat, sleep and do drugs.
(c) Stay on the family farms and feel connected.
(d) Experience all the excitement they can find in life.

3. What does Newt say about the heifer?
(a) He can see that it has been poisoned.
(b) He cannot see any obvious signs of disease.
(c) The heifer is too young to have died without cause.
(d) The heifer could be anywhere by now.

4. Where does Lonnie go when he leaves the ranch?
(a) To a pool hall in Thalia.
(b) To a brothel in the city.
(c) To try to find the source of the cattle's illness.
(d) To visit the neighbor's teenage daughter.

5. What is the one exciting event of the year for the town of Thalia?
(a) The State Fair.
(b) The rodeo.
(c) Branding time.
(d) Roundup.

6. About what does the vet assure Granddad?
(a) He will be able to raise cattle in three years.
(b) The disease does not have a long life span.
(c) He will be paid for the dead cattle.
(d) Granddad is doing the moral thing.

7. How does Granddad respond to Lonzo's suggestion?
(a) He calls in another vet.
(b) He tells everyone they don't have time to rest.
(c) He plans to start moving the cattle to the hills the next morning.
(d) He wants to wait to see the outcome.

8. Why does the storekeeper ignore the situation with Lonnie and his friends?
(a) The two women are obviously prostitutes.
(b) They are basically good boys.
(c) The Texans generally have more money.
(d) There are no cops around.

9. How does Lonnie feel after observing the crowds in Thalia?
(a) As if he will die if he has to stay there much longer.
(b) Like the whole world is crazy.
(c) Like his town is the best in the state.
(d) Like a naive country bumpkin.

10. What does Hud say to Granddad about the ranch?
(a) Hud wants to be equal partners in ownership.
(b) Hud could care less about the ranch.
(c) Hud will kill Lonnie before the ranch becomes Lonnie's.
(d) Hud will get it from Granddad by any means possible.

11. What has technology done to the rural way of life?
(a) Pushed it aside.
(b) Made it less appealing.
(c) Made it harder.
(d) Made it easier.

12. What does Mr. Burris bring with him to the ranch?
(a) An order from the State Agriculture Department.
(b) News.
(c) A questionnaire for them to fill out.
(d) A vaccine for the cattle.

13. Who drives Lonnie's friends home?
(a) The sheriff.
(b) A Texas Ranger.
(c) The cousin.
(d) Lonnie.

14. What makes Lonnie leave the stockyard?
(a) A boy who is talking incessantly.
(b) His granddad gives him money to go buy something.
(c) His granny wants him to get some groceries.
(d) Hud tells him to get out of there.

15. What is Halmea doing with Granny in town?
(a) Things she isn't supposed to be doing.
(b) Granny's work along with her own.
(c) Calling her boyfriend on the phone.
(d) Making Lonnie what he wants for lunch.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Lonnie keep working after he is hurt?

2. What makes the strain less dangerous?

3. Where does Lonnie end up the morning after hearing Hud and Granddad's conversation?

4. What does Halmea do that is meaningful to Lonnie?

5. What makes Lonnie want to travel?

(see the answer keys)

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