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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 old is the young boy at the opening of the story "The Bear"?

2. Why must the Cajun man and the convict move on from the small hut near the water?

3. What do the hunters catch on the boy's first hunting trip into the woods?

4. What type of animal does the Cajun man like to hunt?

5. What is Boon's last name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ash attempt to outshine Ike as children, and what was the result of his attempt?

2. What happens in the story when the young boy turns sixteen?

3. What casualties are incurred while Old Ben is fighting for his life in the moments before his death?

4. Where do the convict and the refugee stay when they leave the Red Cross boat?

5. Why must the convict and Cajun man eventually part ways?

6. Who finally sells the land on which the hunting camp once stood?

7. How do Ike and McCaslin learn the dark truth of their family's history on the plantation?

8. What happens when Ike runs into Boon one last time in the woods?

9. Who or what kills Major de Spain's colt?

10. How does Ike live his life after he decides not to accept his inherited land?

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

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 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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