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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why does the unnamed gun collector buy the "sweet" rifle from an antique shop?
2. Tim Harrow's vest has all of the following slogans except?
3. In Cornish McManus' opinion, what is the most significant aspect of a rifle?
4. What material does Cornish McManus use to brown the exterior surface of a barrel?
5. Harv Kline agrees to fix Tim Harrow's vehicle in exchange for what?
Short Essay Questions
1. How long does Cornish McManus own his "sweet" rifle before he sells it?
2. Why do the British hang Cornish McManus?
3. When Cornish McManus built his "sweet" rifle, what did he probably imagine it would be used for?
4. The last time he loaded his rifle, John Byam used an extraordinary amount of care during the process. Do you think he always was so careful when loading?
5. 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?
6. In reviewing John Byam's actions in the novel, would you consider him a hero?
7. 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?
8. Cornish McManus is a superb gunsmith with great vision and skill. Describe his shooting ability.
9. Most gunsmiths would test their barrels early in the manufacturing process, to avoid wasting time finishing faulty barrels. Cornish McManus does not test his barrel until the entire gun is finished. Why?
10. When John Byam uses the rifle to kill British officers, who is doing the killing--Byam or the rifle?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
The novel infers the rifle has a will of its own--after killing Richard David Mesinger it sits in a gun cabinet "Waiting" (p. 105). Describe the narrative effect of this anthropomorphizing of the rifle. Why is the rifle treated like this?
Essay Topic 2
The novel openly mocks Tim Harrow's personal philosophy that draws from firearms and American history, the United States Constitution, and Christianity. Do you think that these sources of information are suitable for mockery?
Essay Topic 3
Is the book a novel or a political screed? Defend your selection.
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This section contains 627 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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