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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. What does Gus wake to find?

2. Who does Jake hook up with in Fort Worth?

3. Who finds Gus?

4. Where does July finally see people after so many days?

5. What does Call do with Gus after he dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does July tell Peach is his letter to her?

2. What does the crew report about Jake?

3. What does July offer Gus?

4. Why does Gus not go after Blue Duck?

5. What does July finally decide about Elmira?

6. How does Lorena feel when she hears about Jake's hanging?

7. When riding and talking with Gus, what confuses Newt?

8. What happens between Dish and Dixon?

9. What does Deets find on the Arkansas River?

10. What does Old Hugh do for the ranch?

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

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

Clara accuses Call of ruining his and Gus's life.

Part 1) Did Call ruin Gus's life? How or how not? Use examples from the novel to support your answer.

Part 2) Did Call ruin his own life? How or how not?

Part 3) Does Call ruin Clara's life? In what way? Does she blame Call for Gus's death?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample