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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. How much money is Flem Snopes ordered to pay back to the Armstid family?

2. Which of the following characters is trampled in the wild horse stampede as the farmers attempt to wrangle them after the auction?

3. How does Eck feel about the verdict handed down to him by the judge in his case against Tull?

4. What is the name of the law that prohibits a man from transporting a woman across state lines?

5. What is Doctor Varner's first name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the story of "The Old Man" open?

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

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

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

5. Where is the refugee woman's baby born?

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

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

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

9. What happens when the boat overturns that the tall and fat convicts are paddling down the river?

10. In addition to the case brought up against Snopes, what other charges were pressed in the Mississippi town after the wild horse stampede?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story "Spotted Horses" relies heavily on characteristics of tall-tales common in Southern humor writing. How do you see elements of tall-tales, or stories larger than life, in "Spotted Horses"? Do you think the humor of this type of writing is successful in the story, or does the humor take away from the moral message of the tale? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe helps strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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