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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Although he buys and sells guns constantly, Tim Harrow never has fewer than how many guns?
(a) Twenty-five or thirty
(b) Two
(c) One rifle, one pistol, and one shotgun
(d) Two or three hundred

2. How much does Tim Harrow tell Harv Kline the "sweet" rifle is worth?
(a) Over one million dollars
(b) About $150,000 to the right buyer
(c) Nothing
(d) $700

3. How much force does it take on the trigger to fire that "sweet" rifle that Cornish McManus builds?
(a) About three hundred pounds
(b) About thirty pounds
(c) About three pounds
(d) About three ounces

4. What does Tim Harrow call knives?
(a) Edged weapons
(b) Shivs
(c) My precious knives
(d) Pig stickers

5. Although the unnamed man whose children find the "sweet" rifle in the attic of their new house finds it beautiful, he gets rid of it. Why?
(a) He already has a gun
(b) His wife is afraid of guns
(c) He doesn't have a gun permit
(d) He needs money so he sells it

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Cornish McManus choose a small caliber for his "sweet" rifle?

2. During the Revolutionary war period a typical rifle was accurate at what distance?

3. In his lifetime, how many times does Tim Harrow use a firearm to protect his life or property?

4. What do the colonials call Americans who do not want to gain independence from British rule?

5. How does John Byam die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does the "sweet" rifle have a will of its own?

2. What was the leading cause of death among American Revolutionary War soldiers?

3. The cover image of several common editions of the book shows a highly-engraved flintlock rifle. Does the book describe the rifle as being engraved?

4. In order to fire properly, the following things must be true: "the powder is dry and in good shape" (p. 16); "the flint is clean and with a new sharp edge" (p. 16); "the frizzen is wiped dry" (p. 16); "the spring on the hammer is strong" (p. 16); "the flint [slams] hard against the frizzen" (p. 16); "the powder is positioned correctly in the pan" (p. 17). Explain how all of these things happen to occur on Christmas Eve, 1993.

5. The "sweet" rifle shoots a .40 caliber ball; most rifles of the period shot a much, much larger ball. Does the small caliber of the "sweet" rifle reduce its killing capability?

6. Cornish McManus is astounded when his "sweet" rifle puts three balls into one ragged hole at thirty paces (about 75 feet) while shooting from a solid rest. By today's accuracy standards is McManus' rifle's performance astounding?

7. Cornish McManus is a superb gunsmith with great vision and skill. Describe his shooting ability.

8. What does John Byam use the "sweet" rifle for?

9. Why does John Byam offer so much wealth in exchange for Cornish McManus' "sweet" rifle?

10. The cover image of several common editions of the book shows a left-handed flintlock rifle. Does the book describe the rifle as being left-handed?

(see the answer keys)

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