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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. How does Willa feel after she and Ben make love?

2. What does Ham find when he arrives at the bunkhouse?

3. What bothers Willa during the week after Adam is shot?

4. Why does Ham ask for his check so he can quit?

5. Why does Tess book a male masseuse for Willa?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nate tell Ben the morning after the dinner party and how does Ben respond?

2. How does the killer feel about Lily's wedding and what does he plan to do?

3. What does the killer do to Ham and what does he tell Willa?

4. Why does Lily confront her sisters and the men? What does she tell them?

5. What does Willa tell the others about Lily during a dinner party Lily hosts?

6. Why do the three sisters drive the cattle into the mountains together and what do Willa and Ben discuss during the drive?

7. What does Jim Brewster tell Willa about his mother and her life?

8. How do Ham and Willa reconcile after their fight and what does Ham do afterward?

9. What does Willa say to Tess about the sisters being at the ranch in Chapter 22, and how does Tess respond?

10. What does Willa tease Ben about on the ride after she returns from the spa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Montana Sky, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Roberts chooses to write the novel as a third person, impersonal narrator. Discuss the following:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Montana Sky being written in the third person, impersonal narration?

2. Do you think the novel would be more effective in a different point of view? Which one if so? If not why do you think the impersonal narrator works the best?

3. Do you think the narrator in Montana Skya is reliable, i.e., do you believe the narrator is completely unbiased? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes Montana Sky interesting. Discuss the following "good" characters:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Willa. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Ben. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Adam. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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