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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 Lily don for the New Year's party?

2. About what does Sarah worry?

3. How does Tess respond to seeing a calf castrated?

4. How does Pickles get his name?

5. Why are the ranch hands bickering?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lily tell Adam about her life?

2. What is the killer feeling after he kills Pickles and what does he decide at that point?

3. Who discovers Pickles' body, how does she feel about it, who else comes along, and what does he tell her?

4. What does Adam tell Willa about a deer in the woods and what does Willa do about it?

5. What do Ben, Tess and Lily discuss over soup, and what does Ben point out in their discussion?

6. Who is the ranch foreman, of what does he assure Willa, and what is his and Willa's relationship?

7. What does the will say about the ranch?

8. Why do Tess, Lily and Adam ride out in the snow, what do they see, why do they argue, and what interrupts their argument?

9. What does Willa see while birthing calves and what does she find?

10. In Chapter 9, what does Ham tell Willa about ranch hands and about what she needs to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Nora Robert's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Roberts use too many or too few literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

5. What type of plot do you think Living Dead in Dallas is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Montana Sky help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Montana Sky? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Montana Sky to discuss and compare Willa's response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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