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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lassiter say when Jane offers him to be a rider for her?

2. What was Jane's vow to Milly Erne?

3. Venters and his dog, Ring, stay in the oval canyon and watch as rustlers enter an opening to another canyon. What does this prove?

4. After the shooting, Venters moves Bess to a safe location, but returns to the oval valley. Why?

5. What did Jane's father train her to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. 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?

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

5. Describe Balancing Rock and how it was made to balance. What would happen if the rock is dislodged? How can this protect Venters and Bess now that he knows how to use the rock as a defense? Do you think this is foreshadowing an event?

6. 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?

7. Describe Tull's campaign to pressure Jane into marriage. How does he manipulate other Mormon and non-Mormons to help him with his campaign.

8. Who was Milly Erne and why did she refuse to teach at the school? What impact did this have on Milly's life?

9. 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?

10. When Bess learns of Venters stealing the calves from Oldring, what is she afraid of? Who is she afraid for? What does she think will happen if Venters continues to act so carelessly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the foreshadowing event of Lassiter rolling Balancing Rock down the hill? There is more than one event to describe, but chose one and be specific.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story, Jane is trying to get Lassiter's guns, but when he finally offers them, she refuses. What has changed in both characters at this point in the story? Then, at the end, Lassiter drops and leaves his gun as he ascends the cliff to Surprise Valley. What is the symbolism here? What does it mean that the guns are empty?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the small breaking points in the story for Jane and her Mormon religion. What was the final blow?

(see the answer keys)

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