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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. According to the novel, what does a faster rate of spin do for a projectile?
(a) Makes it hit harder
(b) Makes it move slower
(c) Makes it move faster
(d) Makes it more accurate
2. Who repairs the fuel pump on Tim Harrow's mobile home?
(a) John Byam
(b) Cornish McManus
(c) Harv Kline
(d) Richard Allen Mesinger
3. How much force does it take on the trigger to fire that "sweet" rifle that Cornish McManus builds?
(a) About thirty pounds
(b) About three pounds
(c) About three hundred pounds
(d) About three ounces
4. How many "sweet" rifles was an average gunsmith likely to make in their career?
(a) None
(b) Dozens
(c) Hundreds
(d) One
5. How long does it take Cornish McManus to manufacture the barrel of his "sweet" rifle?
(a) Two years
(b) He doesn't manufacture it--he buys it
(c) Six months
(d) Four hours
Short Answer Questions
1. After John Byam shoots his first British soldier, what group does he join?
2. What does Harv Kline do with the "sweet" rifle?
3. When Cornish McManus test fires his rifle for accuracy, from what range does he choose to shoot?
4. On one occasion John Byam shoots how many British officers in just a few moments?
5. Tim Harrow is enthralled with what hobby?
Short Essay Questions
1. In reading the novel, do you think of the "sweet" Rifle as a character or as an object?
2. Cornish McManus is astounded when his "sweet" rifle puts three balls into one ragged hole at thirty paces (about 75 feet) while shooting from a solid rest. By today's accuracy standards is McManus' rifle's performance astounding?
3. Do you think that John Byam "got his money's worth" out of the "sweet" rifle?
4. The last time he loaded his rifle, John Byam used an extraordinary amount of care during the process. Do you think he always was so careful when loading?
5. In order to fire properly, the following things must be true: "the powder is dry and in good shape" (p. 16); "the flint is clean and with a new sharp edge" (p. 16); "the frizzen is wiped dry" (p. 16); "the spring on the hammer is strong" (p. 16); "the flint [slams] hard against the frizzen" (p. 16); "the powder is positioned correctly in the pan" (p. 17). Explain how all of these things happen to occur on Christmas Eve, 1993.
6. What does John Byam use the "sweet" rifle for?
7. When John Byam uses the rifle to kill British officers, who is doing the killing--Byam or the rifle?
8. The "sweet" rifle shoots a .40 caliber ball; most rifles of the period shot a much, much larger ball. Does the small caliber of the "sweet" rifle reduce its killing capability?
9. Describe how the British are presented in the novel.
10. Most gunsmiths would test their barrels early in the manufacturing process, to avoid wasting time finishing faulty barrels. Cornish McManus does not test his barrel until the entire gun is finished. Why?
This section contains 730 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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