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

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

3. What is Halmea doing with Granny in town?

4. Who does the state vet bring on his return to the ranch?

5. Who counsels Lonnie to not waste time thinking about "what if?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Granddad's response to Newt's suggestion?

2. What does the State Vet tell Granddad about the cattle?

3. What is Hud's response on the way back from the stockyards when Granddad asks his opinion about the cattle?

4. How do Jesse's stories affect Lonnie?

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

6. What is a tender scene between Lonnie and Halmea when Lonnie goes in the house?

7. What does Lonzo suggest and what is Granddad's response?

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

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

10. How does Lonnie feel about the new technology?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 1, Halmea tells Jesse that what Jesse needs is a wife and children, but Jesse answers that he has enough trouble getting by on his own, without having to support a family. Discuss the following:

1. Based on details in the book, do you think Granddad would agree that a man needs a wife? Explain fully.

2. Hud seems the opposite of Granddad as far as settling down goes. He is 35 and has not been married. Fully discuss why you think Hud has not married and if you think he should take Halmea's advice to Jesse for himself. Do you think Halmea would advise Hud to settle down and marry?

3. Evaluate Jesse's reply to Halmea's advice and Jesse's character throughout the book and discuss whether you think Jesse is using finances as an excuse not to marry.

Essay Topic 2

Horseman, Pass By could be said to be a bildungsroman of Lonnie Bannon, the narrator. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concepts bildungsroman and coming of age.

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze Horseman, Pass By as a bildungsroman of Lonnie Bannon. Give specific examples. What does Lonnie learn? How has Lonnie changed? Is the change for the good?

3. Thoroughly trace and analyze Horseman, Pass By for the suggestions of Hud's past that could be considered a bildungsroman. How do Hud and Lonnie differ in how their experiences change them? Do you think Hud ever had the innocence that Lonnie has? Why or why not? What experiences are mentioned from the past that may have shaped Hud? Do any of the experiences that take place in the present seem to change Hud?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Horseman, Pass By based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Horseman, Pass By is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Horseman, Pass By is set in the mid-20th century changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,177 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample