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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What do the beans being choked by the weeds represent?

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

4. What animals does Tom Black leave the remainder of his uneaten, initial breakfast pancakes for?

5. When Tom Black Bull tells his instructor that he will not ride the circuit with him anymore, he advises he will do what instead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

For a period in each of their lives, both George Black Bull and Tom are outlaws, but each is a different type of outlaw. George is an outlaw for killing a man. What are his reasons? What type of outlaw is Tom? Why does he do what he does? Compare and contrast the two.

Essay Topic 3

Tom Black Bull has a difficult time making the transition into the white man's way at the reservation school. They attempt to turn Tom into a farmer by teaching him plowing skills. Why is this unsuccessful? What is Tom's view of the usefulness of plowing and planting skills?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 361 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample