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. Why does the Hat Creek outfit not have any problems getting the horses from Pedro's camp?

2. What did Call give Newt in honor of his first trip to Mexico to round up livestock?

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

4. What does Jake want to borrow from Call?

5. Call's hiring spree has brought the Dry Bean more business than ever. However, what do Lippy and Xavier realize will happen?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Deets warn Lorena?

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

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

7. What does Lorena ask Dish when he arrives at the Dry Bean? How does it make Dish feel?

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

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

10. Why does Jake call himself a fool?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jake Spoon is both a lawman and an outlaw. He is a former Texas Ranger who dies as part of a murdering gang of horse thieves.

Part 1) How do Jake's characteristics influence his decline from lawman to outlaw? Choose events from the novel that illustrate these characteristics.

Part 2) How does Jake feel about his decline? What are his feelings towards Call and Gus? What are his feelings toward Dan Suggs?

Part 3) Could Jake have redeemed himself? Where in the story could he go back to the right side of the law? How might he have accomplished that? Use examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,008 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample