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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. Bess and Venters return to the cliff dwellings and find something more. What?
(a) Stored food.
(b) Human bone.
(c) A secret hiding place inside the caves.
(d) Metal instruments for farming.

2. What do Venters and Bess hear as they take a last look at the sun setting over the sage?
(a) A long thundering sound.
(b) A coming storm.
(c) Horses running.
(d) Bells from the church in Glaze.

3. In the end, what does Venters do to Oldring?
(a) He kills him.
(b) He shares a drink with him.
(c) He tells him that he loves Bess.
(d) He takes him to Surprise Valley.

4. What does Bess want Venters to call her after she finds out about her mother?
(a) Elizabeth Erne.
(b) Beth.
(c) Miss Erne.
(d) Mrs. Venters.

5. When Venters returns with the horses after the race, what news does he hear from his friend?
(a) That Lassiter killed Tull.
(b) That Lassiter stole from Jane.
(c) That Lassiter left town.
(d) That Lassiter is in love with Jane.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is following Lassiter and Jane as they head for Surprise Valley?

2. As Lassiter and Venters stand in the shadow of Balancing Rock, what does Lassiter share with Venters?

3. What did Milly's captors do to her while she delivered her baby?

4. When Jane and Lassiter flee Withersteen house, what does Jane take with her?

5. How do Venters and Bess know the storms are over?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Lassiter arrives in Surprise Valley and meets Bess. He studies her, and, then, suddenly rises to leave. What is Lassiter thinking? What do you think he has figured out about Bess?

3. 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?

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

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. What do Bess and Venters think about when they find human bone in the cliff dwellings?

7. The title of the book is used for the first time in Chapter 22 as Bess looks at the band of riders and calls them sage riders. What does this mean? How is this different that rustlers?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. Why is Bess afraid to tell Venters about the gold? What does she think he will do? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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