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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. How may days does Venters tell Bess that she must wait for him to return from Cottonwood before she knows he is dead?
(a) 2.
(b) 4.
(c) 10.
(d) 8.

2. Why does Lassiter not want to push Balancing Rock?
(a) Because it is a thing of beauty.
(b) Because he may hurt himself.
(c) Because it is ancient.
(d) Because it will close them in forever.

3. Before Venters returns to Surprise Valley, what does Jane have for him?
(a) A package packed by her.
(b) Withersteen House.
(c) A pocketwatch that belonged to her father.
(d) Her hand in marriage.

4. What does Venters tell Bess he will do for the horses when they return to Illinois?
(a) He'll use them as work horses for the farm.
(b) He'll show them as champions.
(c) He'll race them.
(d) He'll buy a farm and let the horses run free.

5. Where does Lassiter take Jane when they flee Cottonwood?
(a) Illinios.
(b) To the sage.
(c) To Surprise Valley.
(d) To the town of Graze.

Short Answer Questions

1. Venters returns to Surprise Valley with supplies for how long?

2. After Lassiter leaves Surprise Valley and Bess reveals a new secret, why had Bess never told Venters about her secret before?

3. What does Venters say touched him in Surprise Valley?

4. What happens to Bess and Venters at the end of the race?

5. When Jane faints for the second time in the novel she awakes to Judkins. What does he tell her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the loss of Milly affect Lassiter? He talks about traveling and going to the "bad." What did this mean and how is this connected to the loss of his sister?

2. When Venters arrives back at Jane's house from Surprise Valley, how has Venters changed? How have his feelings toward Jane changed? Why is this important?

3. When running from Tull and his riders, Venters is amazed at Bess. Why? What does he remember as he rides. What are some of her exploits?

4. When Lassiter returns from Surprise Valley, what do he and Jane discover about her horses? Why is this important? What does this mean to Jane and Lassiter?

5. What does Lassiter bring back to Jane after he pursues the men? What does this do to Jane? How does her will to live change?

6. As Chapter 22 ends, Bess and Venters hear a low thundering sound. What is the sound? What does it mean?

7. In the race with Jerry Card, Venters appreciates Jerry's riding skill. What does Jerry Card do that is so impressive to Venters? Why is Venters proud of Jerry in that moment? What does he admire about Jerry during the race?

8. Why does Lassiter lose his resolve when it is time to roll the stone? What does he realize the end will be?

9. What is the bet between Venters and Jane about the speed of the horses? Who is right in the end?

10. What is Venter's reaction to Bess finding gold? Why does he feel this way? What freedom can this buy for the couple?

(see the answer keys)

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