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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where are Venter's mother and sister?
(a) Texas.
(b) Kansas.
(c) Chicago.
(d) Illinois.

2. After the race, when Venters arrives at Tull's house, what does Tull do?
(a) Invites him in.
(b) Shoots him.
(c) Goes inside and locks the door.
(d) Challenges him to a duel.

3. After his conversation with Jane, Venters is going to tell someone that they have broken their vow. Who?
(a) Oldring.
(b) Dyer.
(c) Lassiter.
(d) Tull.

4. After Lassiter leaves Surprise Valley, what is the secret Bess reveals to Venters?
(a) She is scared.
(b) She was married to Oldring.
(c) She has gold from the valley.
(d) She does not love him.

5. Why did Milly Erne finally leave Salt Lake?
(a) She got a job in Cottonwoods.
(b) She went home with a man she had come to love.
(c) She escaped to the north.
(d) Her daughter was kidnapped, and she followed her to Cottonwoods.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old was Bess when she was taken from her mother?

2. Venters tells Bess he must return to Cottonwoods after the storm but will come right back. What does he tell Bess he is returning for?

3. When Venters sees Jerry Card on this horse, what does Venters do?

4. After Lassiter leaves Surprise Valley and Bess reveals a new secret, why had Bess never told Venters about her secret before?

5. Who tells Bess about the fate of her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Lassiter leaves Jane alone to pursue the men he's been looking for, he asks her what would she prefer her fate be? Why? Is this another sign of giving up? What would give her new life?

2. When Venters shoots Oldring, Oldring tries to say something before he dies. What do you think he was trying to say? Why is Venters so upset when he talks to Bess on his return to Surprise Valley? What does he decide not to tell her at this point?

3. Why does Venters shoot Wrangle? Why didn't one of the men do this before now? What keeps them from shooting the horses?

4. When Venters arrives back at Jane's house from Surprise Valley, how has Venters changed? How have his feelings toward Jane changed? Why is this important?

5. Lassiter arrives in Surprise Valley and meets Bess. He studies her, and, then, suddenly rises to leave. What is Lassiter thinking? What do you think he has figured out about Bess?

6. After Lassiter leaves Surprise Valley, what is Venters worried about? Why is he worried? What actions will he take at this point?

7. Even though Jane knows that the house has been fired, she doesn't look back. Why? Is this part of her "giving up?"

8. As Chapter 22 ends, Bess and Venters hear a low thundering sound. What is the sound? What does it mean?

9. The title of the book is used for the first time in Chapter 22 as Bess looks at the band of riders and calls them sage riders. What does this mean? How is this different that rustlers?

10. When running from Tull and his riders, Venters is amazed at Bess. Why? What does he remember as he rides. What are some of her exploits?

(see the answer keys)

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