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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. When Mrs. Larkin dies, what does Lassiter tell Jane to do with Fay?
(a) Return her to a Gentile family to raise.
(b) Raise her as a Mormon.
(c) Return her to Dyer.
(d) Raise her as a daughter.

2. How old was Bess when she was taken from her mother?
(a) 1.
(b) 3.
(c) 10.
(d) 5.

3. As Venters and Bess ride away, what does Jane wave?
(a) Her hand.
(b) Her hat.
(c) Her scarf.
(d) She blows kisses.

4. As Bess and Venters are making their getaway, what does Bess see on the horizon?
(a) Rustlers.
(b) A band of riders.
(c) The sage.
(d) Oldring.

5. The morning after the storm, what does Bess ask Venters?
(a) If she was a baby.
(b) If he loves her.
(c) If he was scared of the storm.
(d) If he's leaving today.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Venters confronts Oldring what does he yell across the room?

2. How may days does Venters tell Bess that she must wait for him to return from Cottonwood before she knows he is dead?

3. Venters arrives from Surprise Valley to tell Jane what?

4. Venters and Bess take cover from the storm in their cave and Bess, afraid, snuggles with Venters. What does he know in this moment?

5. After the race, who greets Venters and helps him with the horses?

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

3. Judkins comes to tell Jane the white herd is missing. What happened to them? Who was lost? How does this compare to Lassiter's work earlier in the novel with the white herd?

4. Why does Lassiter lose his resolve when it is time to roll the stone? What does he realize the end will be?

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

6. In the race with Jerry Card, Venters appreciates Jerry's riding skill. What does Jerry Card do that is so impressive to Venters? Why is Venters proud of Jerry in that moment? What does he admire about Jerry during the race?

7. How did the loss of Milly affect Lassiter? He talks about traveling and going to the "bad." What did this mean and how is this connected to the loss of his sister?

8. What does Lassiter bring back to Jane after he pursues the men? What does this do to Jane? How does her will to live change?

9. What is Venter's reaction to Bess finding gold? Why does he feel this way? What freedom can this buy for the couple?

10. Venters gives a tribute to Jane when he faces Tull. How does Jane react to this? Describe the range of her emotions.

(see the answer keys)

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