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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 does Lonnie not like?

2. How does Granddad seem after the cattle slaughter?

3. With whom would Lonnie like to speak?

4. Where does Halmea go with some friends?

5. What does Granddad say there will be some of in every life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lonnie do with his rifle and why, and how does Hud react?

2. What does Lonnie hear and what does he think?

3. What does Hermy tell Lonnie?

4. Who cooks breakfast for all the men and who is not there?

5. What does Lonnie want to do and what is Halmea's response?

6. What does Lonnie do after saying goodbye to Jesse and who comes up from behind Lonnie in another vehicle?

7. What does Lonnie do and think about after the church service?

8. Describe the preacher's sermon about Granddad.

9. What does Granddad have in the barnyard and what is the significance?

10. What does Lonnie discover when he investigates Hud's shouts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character Granddad. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think he is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Hud. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss the character of Lonnie. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend?

Essay Topic 3

Horseman, Pass By, unlike perhaps a majority of novels, does not end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Horseman, Pass By and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Horseman, Pass By is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Discuss two ideas from Horseman, Pass By that you find intriguing and why.

(see the answer keys)

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