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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. Gus's sign told customers "We don't _______"?

2. Where do Gus and Call go after finding a new wagon and mules?

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

4. Who sings a mournful ballad to the cattle?

5. What is the name of Roscoe's horse?

Short Essay Questions

1. What worries Deets about the trip to Montana?

2. What does Deets warn Lorena?

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

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

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

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

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

8. What happens to Sean?

9. How does Jake respond when Gus comes into Jake and Lorena's camp?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship between Call and Newt lies at the core of a major theme of the novel. Write an essay detailing Call's feelings for Newt. In what ways does Call show he accepts that Newt is his son? Does he give Newt special treatment over the other cowboys? In what ways does he not accept that Newt is his son? Why does he refuse to claim Newt openly?

Essay Topic 2

Call and Gus feel that they must hang Jake, even though he is their friend, because he is riding with murderers and horse thieves. Jake feels he is innocent because he has not killed anyone or personally taken horses. However, he does not put up a fight and dies an honorable death.

Part 1) Is Jake guilty as a murderer and horse thief? If not, what crime has he committed? Are his crimes worthy of hanging?

Part 2) How does Jake feel about his sentence? Use examples from the novel to support your answer.

Part 3) How does Call feel about hanging Jake? In what ways does he show he might regret it? How does Gus feel about hanging Jake? Does he have any regrets? How does he handle them? Are Gus and Call influenced by other events in the novel in carrying out Jake's sentence?

Essay Topic 3

Call and Gus have been friends for many years before the start of the novel. Write an essay about the relationship between Call and Gus. Why are they friends? How do they help each other or work as a team? Why does Gus ask Call to take his body to Texas? Why does Call agree?

(see the answer keys)

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