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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. Why is Herndon even busier than usual on the day George and Rose come to town?

2. What attracts Johnny and Rose to Beech?

3. How does Phil feel when he imagines George caressing Rose?

4. How does Rose see that she is fortunate regarding the two men to which she has been married?

5. When George returns to the Red Mill a few weeks later, how is his behavior unlike others visitors?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is known about the Burbank ranch in the first section (Chapters I-III)?

2. How might one describe the brothers, Phil and George?

3. How do others feel about Phil's intelligence?

4. How does Peter feel about his new life in Herndon?

5. How does George save Rose's day?

6. How is George kind to Rose in Chapters IV and V?

7. What makes both George and Rose reluctant to come home to the ranch?

8. How does Phil's behavior in college affect George?

9. How does George act in a way that surprises Phil, at the end of Chapter VI?

10. How does the narrator describe the town of Beech in Chapter I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The town of Beech is both nervous and excited about the arrival of the Burbank outfit. Why is this such an exciting event? What does this say about the town and people of Beech? How is the arrival of the Burbank cattle and its cowhands, and other such guests, vitally important to the people Beech and their way of life?

Essay Topic 2

The setting of this story is a challenge in so many ways. How is the setting described? How does it affect those who live there? How does it also affect the relationships between the characters? In what ways does the author connect the personalities and relationships between the characters to the landscape around them?

Essay Topic 3

Phil's funeral is short and simple. What does this reinforce about Phil's character and way of life? There is no eulogy? Why might this be? Why had neither his parents nor George volunteered to give one? What does this say about Phil's relationship with his family? How do you feel about Phil's short and simple funeral? How might he feel about it? Why?

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