View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens to Bess and Venters at the end of the race?
(a) They get away as the others give up the pursuit.
(b) They hide in the sage for the night.
(c) They return to Surprise Valley.
(d) They hide in the Withersteen house.

2. After the race with Jerry Card, what does Venters do next?
(a) He goes to Oldring's house.
(b) He rides down Main street on Black Star.
(c) He rides down Main Street on Wrangle.
(d) He returns to Surprise Valley that evening.

3. What did Lassiter think of Frank Erne?
(a) He thought Frank was a lousy preacher.
(b) He thought Frank was an idiot.
(c) He liked him and was not bothered by the religion.
(d) He hated his religion.

4. As Venters and Bess ride away, what does Jane wave?
(a) Her hand.
(b) She blows kisses.
(c) Her hat.
(d) Her scarf.

5. The morning after the storm, what does Bess ask Venters?
(a) If she was a baby.
(b) If he's leaving today.
(c) If he loves her.
(d) If he was scared of the storm.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. After Lassiter visits Surprise Valley, what is the plan Venters comes up with?

3. What does Venters realize the morning after the storm?

4. What do Bess and Venters take back with them to their camp?

5. As Bess and Venters are making their getaway, what does Bess see on the horizon?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Lassiter tells Jane he is going to follow Venters to see where he is going. What does he reveal about Milly Erne in this moment? How does this parallel Jane's life?

3. Why does Venters shoot Wrangle? Why didn't one of the men do this before now? What keeps them from shooting the horses?

4. After Fay is abducted, Jane says that she gives up. Gives up what? What is her state of mind? How will she survive?

5. 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?

6. Why is Jane angered when she meets Bess? What else does Jane discover when she and Lassiter meet with Bess and Venters?

7. Describe the trial of Jane's men. Who is the judge? Do you think this is a fair trial? Why or why not?

8. 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?

9. When Venters shoots Oldring, Oldring tries to say something before he dies. What do you think he was trying to say? Why is Venters so upset when he talks to Bess on his return to Surprise Valley? What does he decide not to tell her at this point?

10. Judkins comes to tell Jane the white herd is missing. What happened to them? Who was lost? How does this compare to Lassiter's work earlier in the novel with the white herd?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,111 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample