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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Tom Black feel later that day after he awakes from his dream?
(a) Landed on by a bronco, his last ride.
(b) Thrown from a bronco coming out of the chute.
(c) Slammed against the gate while on the bronco.
(d) Jolt of the bronco coming out of the chute.

2. When Tom Black Bull tells his instructor that he will not ride the circuit with him anymore, he advises he will do what instead?
(a) Return to his mountain alone.
(b) Find safer, steadier work.
(c) Work the con circuit by himself.
(d) Ride the big time alone, for keeps.

3. One afternoon Tom Black picks grasses, weaves a tiny basket, then leaves it in a tree as a nest for what?
(a) A chipmunk.
(b) A field mouse.
(c) A prairie dog.
(d) A prairie chicken.

4. How does Tom Black get back to Pagosa?
(a) By bus.
(b) By train.
(c) By plane.
(d) By hitchhiking.

5. Starved, what does Tom Bull begin cooking for his next meal following breakfast on his initial day at work?
(a) Stew.
(b) Venison roast.
(c) Beef steak.
(d) Tortillas.

6. What does Tom Black do in response to an animal near him in the meadow being killed by a wild animal?
(a) Shoots the wild animal that killed the lamb.
(b) Helps the dogs round the sheep in chaos.
(c) Pulls his leg chasing the wild animal.
(d) Chases the wild animal up the mountainside.

7. What form of exercise does Tom Black use to strengthen his legs?
(a) Jumping rope.
(b) Walking.
(c) Jogging.
(d) Mountain hiking.

8. When does Tom Black's employer link up with him to collect the herd?
(a) Autumn.
(b) Spring.
(c) Summer.
(d) Winter.

9. In the final chapter, where does Tom build his new lodge?
(a) The first bench of Bald Mountain.
(b) The first bench of Horse Mountain.
(c) The first bench of Grizzly Mountain.
(d) The first bench of Granite Peak.

10. Tom Black faces a crossroads following his Madison Square Garden rodeo ride; one that starts where?
(a) At the brink of his death.
(b) Following a twisted ankle.
(c) After another minor injury.
(d) A successful ride.

11. The author, Hal Borland, symbolically compares Tom Black's multiple injuries and hospitalizations with what?
(a) The death of his father in the avalanche.
(b) His burning down the San Juan ranch.
(c) The image of his crippled and injured spirit.
(d) The demise of the Mexican ex-bronco rider.

12. Tom Black faces various crossroads in his life, each time taking the path leading to what?
(a) His desire for injury, pain.
(b) His skillful riding talent displayed.
(c) His self-indulging ego, power.
(d) A legend that Utes are natural bronco riders.

13. In New York, Tom dreams of back-country rodeos, the San Juan ranch, his mother, and mountains, but all the dreams end how?
(a) Him trapped saddled to a bronco forever falling.
(b) He and his mother fleeing Pagosa to meet his father.
(c) His first ride on a bronco in a small rodeo.
(d) As a youth bathing in an icy brook, chanting to a new day.

14. Tom Black pushes himself beyond what is approved for his rehabilitation, causing Mary Redmond to be what?
(a) Glad.
(b) Unaffected.
(c) Proud.
(d) Frustrated.

15. How does Tom Black describe broncos to Mary Redmond?
(a) As mountain bears.
(b) As mean outlaws.
(c) As troubled spirits.
(d) As merely untamed.

Short Answer Questions

1. Tom's mother told her son that time lays scars on a man, becoming part of his being, just like what?

2. As Tom Black Bull moves into the big time rodeo, riding as his own man, what is he bringing Into his next stage of life?

3. Where does Tom Black still have to face his fear in person?

4. How does Tom Black Bull feel about his first ride in the big time?

5. A bear rushes into the meadow from the brush and kills what, as Tom Black muses over his rodeo plans one day?

(see the answer keys)

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