View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dish suggest to Jasper as they leave the Dry Bean together?

2. What causes Jake's thumb to get infected?

3. Maggie told Gus _____ was Newt's father?

4. Which kind of customer does Lorena prefer?

5. What does Gus offer for "a poke" regardless of whether Lorena wins at cutting the cards or not?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Elmira feel about July? Why?

2. Why is Gus not trying to hide the horses they brought back from Mexico?

3. Why does Blue Duck show so little interest in Lorena?

4. What does Gus notice about the first forty horses that makes him laugh?

5. Not long after Sean's death there is another accident, though not fatal this time. What happens?

6. How does Wilbarger sway Call to make a decision about his restlessness?

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

8. What worries Deets about the trip to Montana?

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

10. How does Gus teach the bartender to respect him and Call?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gus thinks about the chain of events that Jake sets into motion by not facing the consequences of his accidental shooting in Arkansas. Pick three or four events from the novel. How are these events based on accident or circumstance? How might things have turned out differently if the events you chose did not happen, or happened differently? How are these accidents related to choices made by one or more characters? Use examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Different characters approach the issue of responsibility differently. Two characters that especially take opposite approaches to responsibility are Jake Spoon and July Johnson.

Part 1) Compare and contrast July Johnson and Jake Spoon. In what ways are they similar? How are they different?

Part 2) How does July's approach to the law affect the story? How do Jake's choices regarding the law affect the story? Cite examples from the novel for each character's choice and the subsequent effect of those choices.

Part 3) How do Jake and July differ with regards to responsibility? How is July responsible? How is he irresponsible? How is Jake responsible? How is he irresponsible?

Essay Topic 3

Who is the central character of Lonesome Dove? Select one (Call, Gus, Newt, Jake, July) and write an essay supporting your choice as the main character of the novel.

Part 1) How does the character you selected change in the story?

Part 2) How does the character influence the other characters or plot? Use examples from the novel.

Part 3) How would the story be different if the novel was presented in that character's point of view only?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 933 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample