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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 does the shipping cost to send Mattie’s father to Dardanelle in Chapter 2?

2. Mattie tells Colonel Stonehill in Chapter 3 that her family sold their early cotton in Little Rock to whom?

3. Mattie states in Chapter 1 that Tom Chaney said he was from where?

4. By what nickname does Mattie refer to Texas in Chapter 1?

5. The gold coins that were stolen from Mattie’s father were from where?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Mattie describe the scene when she arrives at the Federal Courthouse to seek out Rooster Cogburn in Chapter 3? Who is being brought in?

3. How is Yarnell Poindexter described in the novel? Why does he accompany Mattie in Chapter 1?

4. How are the prisoners described that are to be hung in Chapter 2?

5. What leads to Mattie’s disappointment when she speaks with the deputy marshal at the Federal Courthouse in Chapter 3?

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

7. How does Colonel Stonehill describe the plight of the U.S. marshal when he hears of Mattie’s story in Chapter 3?

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

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

10. How does Mattie describe the execution of the Indian in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Harrison Narcotics Law and the Volstead Act. Mattie Ross praises both of these laws in Chapter 4. When were they both enacted? What did the laws entail? What politicians does Mattie Ross discuss in regard to prohibition in Chapter 4? What role did these individuals play historically in prohibition?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of the Monarch boarding house in the novel. How large is the boarding house? How many boarders are staying there when Mattie arrives? How much does Mattie pay for room and board, and how is her boarding situation detailed?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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