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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. What does Mrs. Brown show Hằng?

2. Why does LeeRoy not want a job?

3. What is LeeRoy's real name?

4. What happens to LeeRoy at the bar?

5. What is the goal of saddle bronc?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Hằng’s and LeeRoy’s different reactions to Mexican Hat reveal about their personalities?

2. What is the role of kindness and community as Hằng seeks her brother?

3. How is Hằng shown to be different from the very start of the novel?

4. What does Linh’s (David’s) bond with his horse indicate?

5. What is the intergenerational conflict that happens at the ranch when Hằng first meets Linh?

6. Why do the cowboys trick LeeRoy?

7. Why is Hằng both happy and sad around Linh?

8. What are some signs that LeeRoy is less annoyed with Hằng?

9. What does LeeRoy’s reactions to the cowboys reveal about his ability to survive? How does it compare to Hằng?

10. What does Hằng’s reaction to the bus leaving without her reveal about her ability to survive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hằng looks, sounds, and behaves differently than the Texans around her. Examine the challenges and significance of language and cultural barriers for Hằng, right from the moment readers meet her in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Investigate how LeeRoy’s expectations of cowboy life contrast with the realities he faces when he tries to get involved in the rodeo. How successfully does he navigate the gap between these dreams and realities?

Essay Topic 3

How does Hằng’s family history and world history affect her life? Explore how her family history and larger historical events intertwine.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample