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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. Who is Lily Mercy trying to avoid encountering?

2. When does Jesse's abuse of Lily begin?

3. What does Lily say to Adam?

4. What is happening to Willa despite her not wanting it?

5. Who has the flu?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Ben asks Willa to do at the New Year's Eve party, what is her response, and what do the two of them think of Adam and Lily?

3. What does Tess decide to do about Nate's Christmas present and how does Willa feel about that?

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

5. What does Tess see at the corral that bothers her, what does she do, who takes her in the house, and what does he say to her?

6. What does Willa realize when her sisters tell her they are staying after Pickles was murdered?

7. What does Lily tell Adam about her life?

8. What does Tess insist Willa do when she returns from checking on the deer in the woods, and what interrupts that?

9. Where does Tess go after the funeral, who is her mother, and what is her mother like? Why did her mother marry her father?

10. What does the will say about the ranch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Montana Sky is considered a romance/mystery, a sub-genre of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define genre and then specifically romance/mystery.

2. What do you think is the difference between a romance novel and a romance/mystery?

3. Many in the world of academe do not see mystery as a serious genre, that its primary purpose is entertainment and not "worthy" of being studied by serious students of literature. Respond to that idea.

Essay Topic 3

The killer is described as taking pleasure from killing, first animals, and then people.

1. How do you think Jim Brewster's life helped contribute to his mental illness? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think Brewster is mentally ill and should not be held accountable for his behavior by reason of insanity? Why or why not? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. Jack Mercy, it appears, treated his son even worse than his daughters. He was not a fit father. Although a license is required to drive a car, there are no regulations about who can be a parent. Do you think the government should regulate who is allowed to have children? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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