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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. Where is Jim working in St. Louis in Chapter 9?

2. What does Bedwell take from Boone in Chapter 5?

3. How is the weather described in Chapter 21?

4. What causes Teal Eye to be thrown from the boat in Chapter 12?

5. How many other times have Boone and Jim been to the mountain range the men are near in Chapter 23?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jim help Boone in his fight with Streak?

2. What information does Boone discover while the Mandan travels through the territory of the Rees Indians?

3. How does Boone meet Jim Deakins?

4. How does Boone escape his father and the law in Louisville?

5. How does Teal Eye change when she gets closer to the land of her people?

6. What are the similarities and differences in the way that Boone, Jim, and Dick view their situation in Chapter 20?

7. How is Boone sentenced during his trial in Paoli?

8. What happens during the attack by the Indians in Chapter 19?

9. What takes place when Boone and Dick have a confrontation with twelve Indians in Chapter 14?

10. Which issues do Jourdonnais and McKenzie discuss at Fort Union?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dick Summers has a positive effect on Boone's life and is influential in his adventure.

1) Describe Dick's character and goals when Boone first meets him.

2) Explain three examples of how Dick helps Boone to learn survival skills.

3) Analyze the change that Dick goes through and the reasons why he decides to settle down in St. Louis.

Essay Topic 2

As Boone continues to learn more about the Indians, two different tribes form opposite sides of a pending war.

1) Analyze the attack on the Mandan by the Sioux and Boone's response to it.

2) Explain the differences between the Sioux and the Rees.

3) Describe the meeting with the Rees and whether it plays a role in the way Boone deals with Indians later in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Guthrie uses symbolism, foreshadowing, and the weather to bring his story to life.

1) Analyze three examples of symbolism in The Big Sky.

2) Analyze three examples of foreshadowing in The Big Sky along with the events they foreshadow.

3) Analyze Guthrie's use of the weather and scenery to enhance the events that take place throughout the book, including a description of at least two examples.

(see the answer keys)

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