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

2. What new item does Billy have with him for this trip into Mexico?

3. What name does Billy sign on his army induction form?

4. What does Billy do the morning after he sleeps in the barn?

5. What does Billy do in the days after he buries Boyd?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the woman who reads Billy's palm tell him?

2. Where does Billy search for Boyd and what does he learn about his brother?

3. Who does Billy visit before setting off on another long trip?

4. Why does the army recruiter seem to take a special interest in Billy?

5. What surprise decision does Boyd make as he is healing?

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

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

8. How do Billy, Boyd and the young girl survive over the next few days and what is their ultimate arrangement?

9. What physical defect disqualifies Billy from enlisting in the army?

10. Where does Billy finally bury Boyd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

THE CROSSING is a classic coming of age novel. What does this classification entail? Explain why THE CROSSING fits into this category.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Boyd Parham. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point?

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