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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What problem does Billy find with Nellie's pregnancy?
(a) That Nellie has a tumor inside, not a baby.
(b) That the colt is turned the wrong way.
(c) That she is going to have twins.
(d) That the colt is already dead before it is born.

2. What does Billy Buck say about how Nellie is handling her pregnancy?
(a) That she has "turned nice."
(b) That she is comforted by Jody only.
(c) That she has gone crazy.
(d) The she only thinks she is pregnant but really isn't.

3. What topic does Grandfather bring up during his first dinner at the Tiflin ranch?
(a) His love of brandy.
(b) His crossing the plains.
(c) His need for more food than most people.
(d) His time with the Spanish army.

4. Whose ranch has Jody been told to take Nellie to?
(a) Billy Buck's.
(b) Jess Taylor's.
(c) A stranger's.
(d) No one's.

5. What does Jody do with his surprise-filled lunchbox when he returns home from school?
(a) He buries it under the porch.
(b) He hides it in his room.
(c) He leaves it with his mother.
(d) He leaves it in the mailbox.

6. What season is it when Chapter 3 opens?
(a) Springtime.
(b) Fall.
(c) Winter.
(d) July 4th.

7. What does Billy tell Jody to do after he is done helping with the birth?
(a) Go get hot water and a sponge.
(b) Go get Carl right away.
(c) Go get Mrs. Tiflin.
(d) Send all the neighbors home.

8. How does the Tiflin family learn that Mrs. Tiflin's father will be coming to visit?
(a) By telegram.
(b) He just appears.
(c) Through word of mouth passed along by the neighbors.
(d) By letter.

9. How does Billy eventually get the baby colt out?
(a) He doesn't; Nellie isn't really pregnant.
(b) He cuts open Nellie.
(c) He helps Nellie give birth.
(d) He reaches in and grabs it.

10. What does Grandfather overhear in the Tiflin kitchen the morning after he arrives?
(a) Jody saying that he smells like an old man.
(b) Billy saying that he has lost his respect for him.
(c) Mrs. Tiflin talking about his failing memory.
(d) Carl complaining about his endless storytelling.

11. What does Jody imagine doing with his imaginary horse?
(a) Being asked by the president to catch a criminal.
(b) All of these answers are correct.
(c) Winning rodeo contests.
(d) Helping the sheriff.

12. Why is Mrs. Tiflin crying at the end of the novel?
(a) She wants Jody to stay a little boy forever.
(b) She is sad about her father's death.
(c) She is tired of her life.
(d) She isn't.

13. How much advanced notice do the Tiflins have of Grandfather's visit?
(a) One week.
(b) None; they find out the day he is supposed to arrive.
(c) One month.
(d) Three days.

14. What does Billy do to try to fix Nellie's problem with the delivery?
(a) Drug Nellie.
(b) Get help from the neighbors.
(c) Pray.
(d) Turn the colt around inside.

15. Why does Billy Buck respect Grandfather so much?
(a) Because he is an elder.
(b) Because Grandfather saved his life once.
(c) Because he is the owner of the property.
(d) Because he feels they are kindred spirits.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Billy tell Jody to go outside when Nellie is supposedly in labor?

2. Why does Grandfather think Jody wants to listen to his stories so much?

3. Who is Riley?

4. What is the one thing Jody remembers his grandfather talking about?

5. What time is it when Jody first leaves the barn after the horse's birth?

(see the answer keys)

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