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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 do Gus and Call plan to look for a new cook?

2. With whom does Newt bond, becoming fast friends?

3. Who was Lorena with when Dish goes to see her?

4. What does Lorena want Jake to do with the fifty dollars?

5. When Newt walks back to the wagon, who does he see first?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Elmira decide to do after the whiskey boat?

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

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

6. What happens to Lorena and Jake during the storm?

7. What does Deets warn Lorena?

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

9. How does Elmira react to the news that July is going to find Jake Spoon?

10. What bothers Call about the first four boys he hires, who are all younger than eighteen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel includes both lawmen and outlaws throughout the story. The lawmen like Call, Gus, and July try their best to uphold and enforce the law. The outlaws like Blue Duck and Dan Suggs spend their time breaking the law.

Part 1) Pick one lawman and one outlaw and compare and contrast them. What characteristics do they have in common? In what ways are they different?

Part 2) How do the two characters you selected act as if they are above the law, or that laws do not apply to them? Cite examples from the novel.

Part 3) In what ways are the two characters not above the law? Pick events from the story that show how the characters apply the law to themselves.

Essay Topic 2

Lorena gets stuck in Lonesome Dove and sees little options for her future other than becoming a prostitute. She sees her occupation as an accident of circumstances.

Part 1) How is Lorena a victim of circumstances? Provide examples from the novel.

Part 2) How much control does Lorena have on her life? Could she make different choices? Use examples from the novel to illustrate Lorena's choices.

Part 3) Does Lorena take charge of her life by the end of the novel? How or how not? Cite examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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