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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. What does Granddad tell Lonnie?

2. What do Jesse and Halmea discuss?

3. Who does Lonnie see on the side of the road?

4. What does Hud make Lonnie do?

5. Who does Lonnie find drunk?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lonnie swerve off the road and what does Hud do?

2. What is wrong with the porch?

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

4. What does Hermy tell Lonnie?

5. What happens to Jesse and Lonzo, and how does Jesse react?

6. What does Lonnie do in response to what Hud tells him?

7. Why does Lonnie hide and what does he do the day after Granddad's death?

8. Who does Hud send for help and what happens as Lonnie is by the roadside?

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

10. What does Lonnie do and how does he describe the day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Texas in the mid 1950's is fertile ground for racism. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research the existence of racism in Texas in the mid 1950s and analyze Horseman, Pass By for its accuracy and/or inaccuracy in its portrayal of racism.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of racism througout Horseman, Pass By. Who are the most obvious racists? Who are perhaps subltly racist? Are any of the characters free of prejudice? Who? Why do you say so?

3. Halmea leaves Texas for Detroit to start a new life. Research racism in the North and write about the type of racism Halmea is likely to encounter up north. Write a paper comparing racism in the North to that which occurs in Horseman, Pass By.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Define the concept of family and give a few hypothetical examples of how you define a family unit.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of family in Horseman, Pass By. Are Granddad, Granny, Hud and Lonnie a family? Where does Halmea fall in this set up? Jesse? Lonzo?

3. What do you think Lonnie would say about the concept of family in his life? Do you think he sees Granny and Hud as family along with Granddad? Why or why not.

4. What do you think Hud would say about the concept of family in his life? Do you think he sees Granddad and Lonnie as family? Why or why not.

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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