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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. When Bess and Venters remember Surprise Valley they agree to return someday, but what if Balancing Rock falls?
(a) Venters knows an underground cave entrance.
(b) It will be closed forever.
(c) Venters can swim in with the water.
(d) Venters knows a way to climb in with ropes.

2. After Lassiter leaves Surprise Valley, what is the secret Bess reveals to Venters?
(a) She is scared.
(b) She does not love him.
(c) She was married to Oldring.
(d) She has gold from the valley.

3. What does Jane say to Lassiter to convince him to roll the stone?
(a) "Save Fay!"
(b) "I love you!"
(c) "Don't be afraid!"
(d) "Tull is coming!"

4. After Bess is well, what do she and Venters do everyday in Surprise Valley?
(a) Worry about what will happen next.
(b) Wander and explore.
(c) Build a home where the cliff dwellers were.
(d) Worry that Bess will still die.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. When Venters finally catches up to Black Star, what does he think has happened to the horse?

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

5. When Venters sees Jerry Card on this horse, what does Venters do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Even though Jane knows that the house has been fired, she doesn't look back. Why? Is this part of her "giving up?"

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

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. 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?

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. 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?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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