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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 is the name of the man that owns the ranch the boys work for in the book?

2. What is the name of the pimp Billy had to speak to first before meeting with Eduardo in his office for the first time?

3. How much does John Grady plan on paying Eduardo for Magdalena?

4. What war does the old man of the ranch discuss with John Grady during their first conversation?

5. How much does the man that offers to tell John Grady which whorehouse the woman he is looking for is charge him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Billy able to speak with Eduardo for the first time in the book?

2. What is the nature of Billy and John Grady's conversation regarding Mr. Johnson in Chapter 2?

3. What does John Grady do with the blind man and his daughter at the Moderno in Chapter 2?

4. How does Billy describe a fight between his brother Johnny and their father before his brother's death?

5. What does Eduardo tell Billy regarding Magdalena after saying she is a "whore to the bone"?

6. How does Troy describe a long drive he once took in the desert?

7. What is the nature of Billy's request from Eduardo the first time they meet?

8. What does Troy say he is thinking about doing while on a long drive with Billy near the beginning of the book?

9. How does Billy tease John Grady after he stays up all night trying to tame a wild horse?

10. How does John Grady tell Mac he knew a man's horse was lame when he brought it to them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death is one of the central themes discussed in the book. Part 1.) How does the author address the experience of one's spouse dying through characters like Mac and John Grady, and what purpose might he have for doing this? Part 2.) Why does John Grady willingly fight Eduardo to the death after Magdalena's murder, is this somehow an ironic response? Part 3.) What impact does death appear to have for Billy by the end of the book?

Essay Topic 2

The presence of God is found in many parts of the book and is discussed by several characters including John Grady, Magdalena and Eduardo. Part 1.) What role does God appear to play in Magdalena's mindset throughout the book, and what can we learn about the nature of her character based on her religious practices? Part 2.) What can we learn about Eduardo's true nature based on his and Magdalena's conversations regarding God and prayer? Part 3.) What might the author be saying about God based on the outcome for book's more religious characters like Magdalena, Eduardo and John Grady?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the concept of work ethic that is presented in the book. What can we learn about the nature of John Grady's character based on his incredible work ethic, both positively and negatively? How might his work ethic have played a role in his eventual demise?

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