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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. Which of the following animals is NOT one that the convict hunts to feed the refugee woman while they are living on their "island"?

2. Who does Ratcliff claim was the rightful owner of all the wild horses before the stampede?

3. Which of the following beverages does the doctor aboard the steamboat urge the convict to drink?

4. Who or what does the tall convict blame for motivating him in crime?

5. To whom is the tall convict narrating the story of what happened to him during the weeks he was away from prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Toward the end of the trip on the steamboat, how does the Red Cross doctor treat the convict?

2. Why does Henry get into a shouting match with his wife at the horse auction?

3. How do the Mississippi farmers plan to wrangle the horses after Hipps skips town?

4. What is the general reaction to the judgment against Snopes in the courtroom?

5. What crime did the fat convict plead guilty to in court, and why?

6. What crime was the tall convict convicted of committing?

7. Why is Tull outraged with the decision about his case in the courtroom?

8. What story does the tall convict tell the fat convict about his intentions while away from prison?

9. What reaction does Doctor Varner have to the news that there has been a wild horse stampede in town?

10. How is Mrs. Armstid described when she enters the courtroom to plead her case to the judge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of the story of the "Spotted Horses" is about trust. First, describe the trust the farmers of Texas have for the entrepreneur that comes into their town. Then, describe whether or not the entrepreneur deserved the trust of the farmers. Be sure to give at least two examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

Essay Topic 2

In the story "Spotted Horses", the escaped wild horses run rampant in the town, creating much damage for the already struggling Mississippi families. First, explain how the horses managed to escape from their pens and then list the damages created by their stampede. Which family do you think came out with the worst damages after the stampede? How can you tell? Finally, explain how the damaged family managed to right their lives again (if they did) and what effect the horse stampede had on this family's relationship with the town.

Essay Topic 3

In both of the stories, "The Old Man" and "Spotted Horses", the stories explore the role the law plays in the common folks' lives. First, explain what role the law (police) plays in the lives of the characters in "Spotted Horses" and compare / contrast that to the role the law plays in the story "The Old Man". Then, choose one character whose life you think was bettered by the intrusion of the law in their problems and compare / contrast that to one character whose life you think was ruined by the law interfering with their problems. At the end of the day, what message do you think Faulkner is trying to send his readers about the intrusion of the law in our everyday lives?

(see the answer keys)

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