View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Phil sees the cowhands flirting with the women, what does he wish?

2. Throughout the first section (Chapters i-III) of the book, how does George act when Phil tries to start a conversation with him?

3. What is the relationship between Phil and George?

4. How does Rose respond when she learns she will be playing the piano for the governor and his wife?

5. Unfortunately for the Gordons, when they take in a prostitute, what do the locals begin to call their hotel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. To what does the narrator compare the cattle drive?

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

4. Why does Phil dislike alcohol?

5. How does George save Rose's day?

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

7. Why is Beech unable to grow and develop?

8. What is significant about the cattle drive in the first section (Chapters I-III)?

9. How are Phil and George different from those around them?

10. What does the narrator say about Phil's eyes in Chapter IV?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Phil sees Rose's unusual floral arrangement, he realizes that she may be more dangerous than he once thought. What does he mean by this? How might she be dangerous or threatening to Phil? How does Phil fear her? How does this show in his behavior towards her?

Essay Topic 2

The haves versus the have-nots is an important idea in The Power of the Dog. How does this disparity in assets affect the relationships between the characters? How are they all - the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor - never truly happy? Why? What is missing from all of their lives?

Essay Topic 3

Although George is not considered a smart man, what abilities of his seem to shine throughout this story, beginning with early descriptions of him as well as his relationship with Rose beginning in Chapter V? What does this say about intelligence? What does the reader learn about various types of intelligence throughout this story? In what ways is intelligence important and in what ways can in be a hinderance?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 886 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample