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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 Jim suspect about Boone in Chapter 26?

2. What has the group passed with no signs of Indians in Chapter 28?

3. What is Peabody looking for to help the fur trading business in Chapter 33?

4. What was the man doing that Jim mentioned in Chapter 32?

5. What color is the horse that Boone plans to present to Teal Eye's father?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Boone and Jim eventually find the remnants of Teal Eye's tribe and what does Boone do when they get there?

2. How does Boone react to the attack in Chapter 36?

3. How does Teal Eye respond to seeing Boone again and what is done to consider Boone's request for her?

4. Where are Boone and Jim traveling to In Chapter 41 and what news does Boone receive?

5. What is Jim's condition like in Chapter 37 and what is being done to draw attention to the group?

6. What is in the letter that Jim had brought for Boone?

7. What is Jim wondering about Boone's intentions in Chapter 26?

8. Which difficulties is Boone having in adapting to a civilized life with his family in Chapter 45?

9. Which guests stay at the camp with Boone and Jim in Chapter 26?

10. What do Boone and Jim talk about In Chapter 32?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The beginning of The Big Sky is also the beginning of Boone's journey to the West on his own.

1) Describe the events that lead to Boone's decision to leave home for the first time.

2) Explain Boone's options and what might have happened if he had chosen to stay.

3) Analyze Boone's decision to leave and its importance to the overall plot of the story.

Essay Topic 2

The expansion of the country is a key element in the plot when Boone is caught between preserving the Indian land and assisting innovation.

1) Describe three examples of expansion that Boone either observes or hears from Jim.

2) Explain the role of expansion in the story and in the development of the three main characters.

3) Analyze Boone's decision to take Peabody to Oregon and his reluctance in accepting the job.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze at least three examples of Boone's temper and the negative effect it has had on his life, including the results of his inability to control it, the things it has cost him, and the people he has hurt because of it.

(see the answer keys)

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