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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. When Bess and Venters stop to rest the horses after they flee, what does Bess say about Black Star?

2. After Mrs. Larkin dies, Jane continues to hear something in the fields by her house. What does she hear?

3. As Venters and Bess ride away, what does Jane wave?

4. What horses are Bess and Venters riding during their getaway?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Venters tells Bess he must return to Cottonwoods for supplies, what does she think? Why does Bess not feel worthy of Venters attention? What has changed Venters since he came to the valley?

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

4. 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?

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

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

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. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the symbolism of the horses? Describe the bet about the fastest horse. Why does Venters lie when Jane asked which horse was the fastest? What is the meaning of Venters shooting Wrangle?

Essay Topic 2

Why would Tull's actions toward Jane be described as a conspiracy? Who is involved in hurting Jane? Is Tull acting along? If not, how is Tull getting other people to take action against Jane?

Essay Topic 3

Is the character of Oldring good or bad? Describe the stories about Oldring that are bad. Describe the stories about Oldring that are good. In the end, how do you feel about this character? Can you imagine this story without him? Why? Why not?

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