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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 sings a mournful ballad to the cattle?

2. Who rides up while Gus is bathing in the river in Lorena and Jake's camp?

3. What does Roscoe suggest has happened to Elmira?

4. What does Janey do whenever Roscoe meets anyone on the trail?

5. What does Blue Duck do with Lorena when the men fail to kill Gus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gus fear concerning Lorena now that Jake Spoon is in town?

2. What does Gus want to know about July as they go to Blue Duck's camp?

3. What upsets Call when Jake tells him his and Lorena's plans?

4. What does Gus do after the battle with Blue Duck's men?

5. What does Gus understand about the constant talk of Sean's death?

6. What bothers Newt most about the crew's negative remarks about Jake?

7. What did Jake Spoon talk about at breakfast that interested Call and Gus?

8. What does Deets warn Lorena?

9. What does July decide to do first after getting the telegram from Peach?

10. Why does Gus send Newt to watch Lorena, instead of Dish?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elmira and Lorena are both prostitutes as a matter of circumstances of their lives.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the characters of Elmira and Lorena. How are they the same? How are they different?

Part 2) How do Lorena and Elmira show their strengths or weaknesses in their characters?

Part 3) How do Lorena and Elmira each meet the challenges of their circumstances? What choices do they make to improve their lives? How does it work out for them? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Newt is a character on the edge of adulthood. Write an essay about Newt's transition to adulthood.

Part 1) What are the rites of passage that define him?

Part 2) What kind of adult does Newt want to become?

Part 3) Who are Newt's role models? Why does he look up to those role models? Use examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

There are many deaths along the way in the novel. Pick two deaths from the novel (Sean, Deets, Gus, Elmira, Jake, etc.) Compare and contrast the two deaths. What are the circumstances of each death? How are they similar? How are they different? How do the other characters mourn each death?

(see the answer keys)

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