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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. During dinner with Jane and Venters, Lassiter says he is looking for something. What is it?
(a) Something to eat.
(b) Bern Venters.
(c) The grave of Milly Erne.
(d) A place to stay the night.

2. What does Venters discover about Balancing Rock?
(a) It can roll into Surprise Valley.
(b) It is covered with ancient writings.
(c) If he pushes it, the opening to Deception Pass will be blocked.
(d) It will not move even if pushed.

3. What does Venters name the rock at the entrance to Surprise Valley?
(a) Balancing Rock.
(b) Bess's Rock.
(c) Venter's Rock
(d) Jane's Rock.

4. What is Lassiter known for?
(a) A rustler.
(b) The Masked Rider.
(c) As a killer of Mormons.
(d) A man looking for gold.

5. What did Jane's father train her to do?
(a) Cook.
(b) Run the ranch and manage 100 employees.
(c) Shoot like a man.
(d) Ride horses.

Short Answer Questions

1. After the conversation with Blake, Jane feels the world closing in on her and admits to Lassiter that sometimes she want to run away with him. How does Lassiter react?

2. What does Jane want more than anything else for Lassiter?

3. After dinner, Venters goes to the grove to sleep. Who does he see riding through?

4. When Venters goes into the canyon where he saw the rustlers go, what does he find?

5. When Venters goes to the cliff dweller's cave the first time, what does he find?

Short Essay Questions

1. The first appearance of Judkins, the Gentile rider "means hell." Why do you think this is true?

2. Bess tells Venters that she has memories of women and children. Who do you think these people were? What do you think their relationship was with Bess?

3. In Chapter 4, why does Judkins say that it is not normal for rustlers to shoot at a rider? Is this a code of ethics or standards practiced by the riders in this story? What does it mean?

4. Once Venters reaches Surprise Valley he skins the rabbit and saves the hide? Why would he want to keep this hide? What feeling is Venters trying to capture and hang on to?

5. Compare the entrance to Surprise Valley under the stone bridge and the entrance to the ancient cave dwellers up the steep steps. How are these the same and how are they different? What did they mean to the ancient peoples and how are they important to Venters and Bess?

6. How is Tull different than the man he pretends to be? How does he play both ends of his conspiracy against Jane?

7. Venters sees Oldring and the Masked Rider ride across the edge of Jane's land. Why is this ominous? What do the people know about Oldring?

8. In Utah the Mormons are usually prosperous, while the Gentiles barely make enough to eat. Do you think Jane's father made his money in a way that hurt or used Gentiles in the area?

9. How did Jane's father make his wealth? What did he own that others needed? How has Jane changed that legacy and what effect has the change had on the people of Cottonwoods?

10. Would you describe Tull's handiwork as a conspiracy? What makes it a conspiracy? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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