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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. Billy chops the heart and liver of a _____________ for the wolf to eat.

2. The girl at El Tigre invites Billy in for a meal of __________________.

3. What are Billy and Boyd pulling when they encounter an Indian?

4. What is Billy's horse's name?

5. Where is the wolf put while Billy has dinner with the man in the ranch house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the wolf gets free of her muzzle?

2. Under what circumstances do the boys encounter the young girl?

3. What is the relationship between Billy and Boyd and what mention is made of any other family members at the beginning of the novel?

4. What life lesson does Billy learn when he visits the old man to talk about trapping?

5. Describe the boys' encounter with an Indian while they are out gathering wood one day.

6. How does Billy manage to survive after he buries the wolf?

7. Cite some examples that point out the relationship between Billy and Boyd.

8. What are Mr. Parham's instructions for Billy when he heads out to check the wolf traps?

9. What trouble waits for Billy after crossing the river with the wolf who can't swim because of being muzzled?

10. What does Billy find when he returns home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nature takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of doing the right thing. Identify at least two examples about doing the right thing in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of doing the right thing.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does McCarthy use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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