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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. The young girl tells Billy that her grandmother had been married and widowed __________ times by the age of 20.

2. According to the girl, what type of man is useless?

3. Why are some men in the bar angry at Billy?

4. What happens to one of the men who approach Billy and Boyd and engage in a melee?

5. What affliction does the animal seem to have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the dream that Billy has about Boyd?

2. What does the dog symbolize for Billy?

3. What help does Billy secure for the wounded Boyd?

4. What is Boyd's condition when Billy returns to get him at the Munoz farm?

5. What are the circumstances in which Boyd gets shot?

6. How can Boyd's emerging folk hero status be considered a form of foreshadowing?

7. Describe the dog that tries to share the barn with Billy to escape the rain.

8. Describe the altercation Billy has with some bandits as he travels with Boyd's body.

9. What name does Billy use when he signs the army enlistment form?

10. What does Billy learn about how Boyd died?

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

The author uses more than one theme in the novel. Identify at least two themes in the story and then cite an example to support each theme.

(see the answer keys)

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