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 relationship does Venters assume that Bess had with Oldring?

2. When Lassiter appears, how do Tull's men know that he is a gunman?

3. When Lassiter hears why Venters goes to Deception Pass, what is his reaction?

4. What does Mary Brandt, Janes friend, urge her to do when Jane visits her?

5. When Venters goes into Cottonwood, all the men are in the streets. What are they talking about?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What is Jane's main goal with Lassiter? What is she trying to get him to do? How is she using Fay to get what she wants from Lassiter? How is she using Lassiter's attraction to her to get what she wants?

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. Jane is torn between her love for the Mormon church and the reality of the actions of it's leaders. How is this internal conflict reflected in Jane's actions?

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

7. Venter asks Bess, "what were you to Oldring?" How does Bess answer and what does her answer mean? Since Venters stops her before she can explain further, do you think there might be more to her story?

8. Who is Jane's one lone defender when Tull begins to pressure Jane into marriage? How can one person help Jane? Is defending Jane a job that requires more people?

9. Who is the "unseen hand" and what role is he playing in what is happening to Jane and her ranch? Why is the "unseen hand" at work?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How did the search for Milly Erne change Lassiter? How did it change her husband Frank? What about Milly's parents? How are Lassiter's actions toward Milly's disappearance different from the others? Why do you think this is true?

Essay Topic 2

How would you describe Surprise Valley? What were the magical powers of the valley? If Surprise Valley is the Garden of Eden, then who are Venters and Bess? What does this make of Lassiter and Jane now that they are trapped in Surprise Valley forever?

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 1,204 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample