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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 many men does Rooster Cogburn claim to have killed in his years as a U.S. marshal in Chapter 3?

2. According to Mattie in Chapter 1, her father was wounded in battle in the “terrible fight at Chickamauga up in the state of” what?

3. Mattie learns at the Federal Courthouse in Chapter 3 that the head marshal has gone where to deliver prisoners to the house of correction?

4. What was the name of the man who kidnapped Yarnell Poindexter and brought him to Arkansas just before the war?

5. Mattie says in Chapter 3, “You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except” what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the executioner in Chapter 2? How is this character described?

2. How is the narrative of True Grit related? Is the story told in first, second or third person? In what tense is the story told?

3. How does Mattie describe the city of Fort Smith upon her arrival in Chapter 2?

4. How does Mattie describe the setting of the hanging in Chapter 2?

5. What is revealed of Rooster Cogburn during the trial in Chapter 3?

6. How was Mattie Ross’s father killed in the narrative? Where was he killed?

7. How does Mattie describe the career of Judge Isaac Parker in Chapter 3?

8. What is the principle setting of the story? Where does Mattie’s family live?

9. How does Mattie Ross describe Tom Chaney in Chapter 1?

10. How much does Mattie pay for the embalming and coffin for her father? Why does this distress Yarnell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of U.S. marshals William Waters, L.T. Quinn, and Rooster Cogburn as described by the sheriff in Chapter 2. What makes Mattie Ross choose Rooster Cogburn based on the sheriff’s descriptions? Why does Mattie not choose the “law abiding” marshal? What qualities make her choose Rooster?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting of True Grit. When and where does Mattie’s story take place? What indications in the text show the time period of the narrative? Where is Mattie’s family homestead? How far is it from Fort Smith, Arkansas?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Rooster’s failed marriage and his relationship with his son as detailed in the narrative. How did Rooster feel about his son? What does he admit regarding their relationship? Do you think that Rooster’s relationship with Mattie in the story is an attempt to make up for Rooster’s failings with his son?

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