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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. Who does John Grady spend a day out with the cattle early on in the book?

2. What body part of Magdalena's does not work properly due to being beaten?

3. Who is described as never sleeping with anyone in Chapter 1?

4. What war could Billy not fight in?

5. What does Eduardo refer to Magdalena as when Billy meets him for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the cowboy's rivalry with a man called Wolfenbarger described in the book?

2. How does Mr. Johnson describe a stampede he once dealt with to John Grady in Chapter 2?

3. What is John Grady's first impression of a young Mexican girl he sees at the beginning of the book?

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

5. How does Magdalena tell John Grady she came to be a whore?

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

7. What happens when Troy and Billy pass a group of Mexicans broken down on the side of the road?

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 is the cowboy's dog hunt for mountain lions described in the book?

10. How is John Grady's attempts at taming a wild horse at the beginning of the book described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's portrayal of family in the book. What is the nature of the cowboys' experiences with their families compared to the family they create amongst one another? Do their poor experiences with their actual family intensify their bond with the men they live and work with?

Essay Topic 2

Friendship is an important theme presented in the book, namely through the characters John Grady and Billy. Part 1.) What can we learn about the nature of characters like Billy and John Grady based on the impact friendship plays in their lives throughout the book? Part 2.) What might the author wish to comment on regarding friendship based on his portrayal of the friendships developed among the cowboys? Part 3.) What lessons might we learn regarding friendship based on Billy's experience in the last parts of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the author's use of comic relief in various parts of the book. What purpose might the author have for often making Billy the comedic voice of reason, especially in overly tense parts of the book?

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