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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. Why does Hud stay in town the night before he is to take Granny to the city?

2. What does the storekeeper ignore?

3. How does Lonnie feel after hearing Hud and Granddad's conversation?

4. What happens when Lonnie's father is shooting a snake that is about to bite Lonnie's grandmother?

5. Who is Mr. Burris?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Newt say about the dead heifer?

2. What do the boys do after returning to Thalia?

3. What happens to Lonnie while helping test the cattle and what does he do?

4. Why doesn't Granddad want to drill for oil?

5. For what is Hud late the next morning and what is Granny's response?

6. Who is Jesse and when does he arrive at the ranch?

7. Who is Halmea and what does Lonnie think of her?

8. Describe Lonnie's family members who live at the ranch.

9. How does Mr. Burris reassure Granddad?

10. Who is Newt Garrett and why does he come to the ranch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some plots seem to be more character-driven and some more action-driven; some seem balanced. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. What type of plot do you think Horseman, Pass By is? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Hud cannot forgive Granddad for not helping Hud avoid the draft during WWII. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss what Hud says about Granddad and WWII.

2. Do you think Granddad is right or wrong in refusing to help Hud stay out of the war?

3. What do you think Granddad's motives were in not helping Hud stay out of the war?

4. Do you think Hud uses Granddad's action about WWII as an excuse to behave the way he does to Granddad?

5. Why do you think Hud wanted to avoid going to war? Is it understandable? Is a person who does not want to go to war a coward? Are there honorable reasons for not being willing to become a soldier and go to war?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Horseman, Pass By, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Do you think it is harder to identify the plot in a fantasy novel than some others? Why or why not?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Horseman, Pass By . They may not contain every element of a major plot. Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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