View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color skin does Gitano have?

2. Where does Gitano claim to be born?

3. What makes Carl think that Easter is dead the morning Gitano leaves?

4. Why does Jody initially invite Gitano down to the barn?

5. Where does Jody sleep while his pony is sick?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes the mountains seem less threatening to Jody?

2. How does Mrs. Tiflin request Carl treat her father once he arrives?

3. What are the first signs Jody sees in his pony that makes him think he is sick?

4. Why does everyone on the ranch eat such a hearty breakfast?

5. What familiar story does Grandfather start to tell around the fire on his first night with the Tiflins?

6. Why does Nellie break her rope when Jody is leading her to the neighbor's house?

7. Why doesn't Jody let his friends ride his new pony when he shows it to them for the first time?

8. Why does the stallion break his rope when he sees and smells Nellie for the first time?

9. Why does Jody hide the bird he kills when Chapter 2 opens?

10. What has Jody's mom told him about the mountains?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The final scene in Chapter 3 (where Billy kills Nellie to save the colt) is one of the most important in the text. Discuss the reasons why Billy chooses the colt over Nellie and what this decision shows the reader about his own character as well as about his relationship with Jody.

Essay Topic 2

The role of women in _The Red Pony_ is very limited and traditional in the text. Write an argument paper that discusses whether or not this is representative of women's roles at the time or if the author has simply treated the one female character of the text (Mrs. Tiflin) in a misogynistic and patronizing manner.

Essay Topic 3

While Jody never actually goes to visit the mountains within the novel, they play a key role in the text. Choose three instances where the mountains are discussed and how, in each instance, they play a role within the story (plot development, character development, etc.).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 657 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample