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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Grandfather think Jody wants to listen to his stories so much?
(a) Because he is trying to be respectful.
(b) Because he is still a boy.
(c) Because he is trying to get his dad mad again.
(d) Because he is just patronizing him.

2. What does Grandfather mean by the term "westering"?
(a) Getting a huge group of people across the country/out West.
(b) Looking too much into the future without understanding how you got into the present.
(c) Learning to read the wind when it blows west.
(d) Holding on to your past when you should really let it go.

3. How does Grandfather react to what he overhears in the kitchen the morning after he arrives?
(a) He becomes furiously angry.
(b) He laughs it off.
(c) He pretends he didn't hear anything.
(d) He is hurt a little by it.

4. How does Billy free the colt once it is born?
(a) He tears the sac open with his teeth.
(b) He uses a knife to cut it free.
(c) Nothing, because there is no real colt; the horse only thought it was pregnant.
(d) He washes it off by himself.

5. Why does Grandfather accept Jody's offer for a drink when they are sitting on the porch discussing "westering"?
(a) All of these answers are correct.
(b) Because Jody offers him his favorite drink.
(c) Because he sees Jody's face and wants to be polite.
(d) Because he is thirsty.

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

7. When Jody finally brings Grandfather his drink, where does he sit?
(a) On the porch swing.
(b) He decides to stand as a sign of respect.
(c) On his lap.
(d) At his feet.

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

9. Who does Billy say must grant permission for anything that is done on the ranch?
(a) Jody.
(b) Himself.
(c) Mr. Jessup.
(d) Carl.

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

11. What does Carl tell Jody about his work with Nellie?
(a) That he needs to focus on school more and horses less.
(b) That he needs to relax -- a lot.
(c) That he needs to not be so attached to the horse.
(d) That he has done a good job.

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

13. What article of clothing does Carl pin something on of Jody's when he sets off with Nellie?
(a) On his undershirt.
(b) On his shoe.
(c) Inside his sock.
(d) Inside his overalls.

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

15. Why is Mrs. Tiflin suspicious of Jody's request to get his Grandfather a drink?
(a) She knows Jody likes to play jokes on her.
(b) She knows her father never accepts drinks unless it's mealtime.
(c) She thinks Jody is going to put something in it before giving it to Grandfather.
(d) She thinks he secretly wants one for himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. What role does Mrs. Tiflin play in the horse's birth?

2. What role does Carl play in the horse's birth?

3. Who is Nellie?

4. Why is Jody so worried about Nellie?

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

(see the answer keys)

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