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. What do the farmers believe is the biggest benefit of purchasing a Texas horse?

2. Whose horse breaks away from the pen and charges into Mrs. Littlejohn's house?

3. What does Mrs. Littlejohn hit the wild horse over the head with, sending it running back into the streets?

4. Who does Ratcliff claim is directly responsible for the damages the Tull family incurred as a result of the wild horse stampede?

5. What is the true nature of the small island where the convict and the refugee live for the week after the baby is born?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How many people in the prison know the true crime that the fat convict committed?

3. How is Wallstreet almost injured while helping to prepare the wild horses for their auction?

4. What happens when Eck's horse comes into contact with the Tull family?

5. What happens the firs time the convict attempts to turn himself into the police?

6. How does Snopes treat Mrs. Armstid in court when she brings up a case against him?

7. What is Ratcliff's reaction to Hipps' arrival in Mississippi?

8. What is the first thing the convict does when he is aboard the Red Cross steamboat?

9. Why does Snopes end up with five dollars in his hand at the end of the auction?

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

In the story "Spotted Horses", there are three different types of con men introduced to the reader: the sewing machine agent, Flem Snopes, and Hipps. First, describe why each of these three characters could be considered a conman. Then, describe which of these three characters should be considered the most dangerous type of conman and explain what the outcome of their cons were on the small Mississippi town. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

One of the strongest themes in the story "The Old Man" is the theme of fear, particularly the fears of the tall convict. First, create a list of fears that the tall prisoner has. Then, choose one of those fears and explain how the fear affects the relationships he forms in his life. Finally, explain whether or not the convict conquers this fear in the story and how he does so. If he doesn't conquer this fear, explain how the convict lets the fear overtake his life. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Many critics argue that "Spotted Horses" is a story written as a critique of the marketing world, claiming that Hipps, essentially, dupes the farmers into buying what they do not need. How might this story be a critique of capitalism in society? Write a short response explaining whether or not you support this argument from the critics. Be sure to give at least two examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,291 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample