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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. After Tom Black Bull's injury heals they go to Colorado, but his instructor is unable to pull the con, so what happens?

2. What does Tom Black Bull do to relieve his anger when Red Dillon enters him into rodeo bronco riding competitions to cheat?

3. What is Bessie's response to the situation her man has gotten into?

4. Tom Black Bull is left with the horses when his instructor buys a pickup and trailer, then goes to do what?

5. How does Tom Black Bull share part of his deer kill?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Tom Black Bull arrives with his bear cub companion in town to trade basketry?

2. Why is it that Tom Black Bull gets by caring for sheep with Albert Left Hand?

3. How is it that Tom Black Bull gets involved in Red Dillon's final hours and burial?

4. What is printed about Tom Black in the newspaper when he rides in Madison Square Garden?

5. What transpires when Tom Black Bull makes the escape from the agency school to his lodge on the mountain in October?

6. After returning to Pagosa following his injuries in New York, what does Tom Black recall when he enters Thatcher's Market?

7. How does Red Dillon use Tom Black Bull to make money on his initial scam?

8. Why is Tom Black unable to shoot the bear after waiting all night?

9. What are some reasons Tom Black decides that he must return to the rodeo?

10. What happens when Jim Woodward offers Tom Black a winter job a second time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Roundness of life is a significant theme in this story. It unfolds through Bessie Black Bull, who maintains the 'old ways' and instructs them to Tom. What is it the reader learns to look for with this theme? How does the concept of continuation within all life tie in with this 'roundness' theme? Detail the method Bessie uses to teach this intrinsic truth concerning nature.

Essay Topic 2

The first horse Tom Black Bull rode to death was in his initial rodeo in Aztec. The last was in Madison Square Garden. What is Tom's violence directed against? Why does he take his violence out on the horses? What does Red Dillon represent? What does Tom become more like as he gives in progressively to his violence?

Essay Topic 3

Tom Black Bull is taught to ride broncos at Red Dillon's ranch. His new life is totally apart from everything Ute Indian. What is the sequence of steps Red utilizes in teaching Tom? What does Tom have to learn along the way as he advances? What unethical maneuvers does Red plan to utilize to make money from Tom's efforts?

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