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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. Why are there four separate entrances to the Brandt's house?

2. When Venters asks Bess what she did when she wasn't riding with Oldring, what does she say?

3. After the shooting, Venters moves Bess to a safe location, but returns to the oval valley. Why?

4. When Lassiter appears, what does Jane offer that enrages Tull?

5. Who helps Jane as Mrs. Larkin dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. While exploring for the first time, Venters finds evidence of beavers in Surprise Valley and realizes that he must find the the stream where they entered. Why does Venters need to see the where the stream enters Surprise Valley? What is he afraid of?

2. How is Tull different than the man he pretends to be? How does he play both ends of his conspiracy against Jane?

3. Venters sees Oldring and the Masked Rider ride across the edge of Jane's land. Why is this ominous? What do the people know about Oldring?

4. Describe Tull's campaign to pressure Jane into marriage. How does he manipulate other Mormon and non-Mormons to help him with his campaign.

5. When Venters carries Bess up the pass to the hidden valley, he experiences a new strength. What is this strength? What is the source of Venters strength?

6. How does Venters find the openings to the canyons? How does he find Oldring's den?

7. How did Jane's father make his wealth? What did he own that others needed? How has Jane changed that legacy and what effect has the change had on the people of Cottonwoods?

8. Once Venters reaches Surprise Valley he skins the rabbit and saves the hide? Why would he want to keep this hide? What feeling is Venters trying to capture and hang on to?

9. Compare the entrance to Surprise Valley under the stone bridge and the entrance to the ancient cave dwellers up the steep steps. How are these the same and how are they different? What did they mean to the ancient peoples and how are they important to Venters and Bess?

10. Venters wonders if Oldring is Mormon. What effect would that have on the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the growth of the character of Venters. How does he grow from a boy to a man? Use specific scenes from the novel when you felt that he was changing in the moment.

Essay Topic 2

Is the character of Oldring good or bad? Describe the stories about Oldring that are bad. Describe the stories about Oldring that are good. In the end, how do you feel about this character? Can you imagine this story without him? Why? Why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the final showdown between Oldring and Venters. What does this scene tell the reader about Bess? Is the connection between Bess and Lassiter and Jane made clear at this point? When does it become clear to the reader who Bess is and where she comes from?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,218 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample