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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 does Wylder get gas before going on another whiskey run?

2. Who hears the wildcat's final death scream?

3. What about Sylder's appearance shocks John Wesley?

4. How often does Gifford return to the store to question Huffaker about Ownby?

5. To whom does John Wesley show the mangled mink?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are John Wesley and Warn's speculation on what had happened to the mink?

2. Why does McCarthy wait until this point in the story to reveal the orchard keeper's name?

3. Why is Sylder's toe injury probably unrelated to a war injury?

4. Describe the conversation in which Ownby gives John Wesley advice about his life.

5. How is Sylder finally apprehended for bootlegging?

6. What information does John Wesley give to Gifford and what does Sylder say about it?

7. In addition to his traps, what does Warn point out to the other boys?

8. Describe Sylder's booking in the police department.

9. What does the orchard keeper do on a snowy morning involving the peach pit?

10. Why does McCarthy wait until this point in the story to reveal the orchard keeper's formal name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of John Wesley. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point?

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of John Wesley, Ownby and Sylder. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the novel's title. What did the author mean by calling the book THE ORCHARD KEEPER? Cite an example to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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