Name
Date
THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT
Selection Test A
Comprehension
Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer. (6 points
each)
1. The outcasts ignore Mr. Oakhurst’s urging to
continue toward Sandy Bar because they
A. are distracted by liquor
4. One way that this example of regionalism
shows how the people of the time period spoke
is by
A. listing each of the characters’ names
C. are all tired from traveling
B. describing each character’s angry curses
D. have lost their mules
C. explaining the story behind Tom’s
2. Which detail helps you clarify the outcasts’
THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT
B. have found a good place to camp
nickname
D. describing how Tom pronounces Achilles
opinion of Tom and Piney as innocent?
A. Billy’s theft being kept secret
B. Piney’s sleeping in the cabin
finds a stack of firewood?
C. provisions stored in the cabin
A. Mr. Oakhurst had always been in love with
D. Mr. Oakhurst’s making snowshoes
her.
B. Mr. Oakhurst knew he would never see
her again.
C. Tom left the firewood behind for Piney.
D. Tom and Mr. Oakhurst will return soon.
3. Why does Piney suggest that the group tell
stories?
Copyright by McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company
5. What can you conclude when the Duchess
A. to distract them from the lack of food
B. to help them stay awake at night
C. to keep the outcasts from drinking
D. to keep the outcasts from complaining
Resource Manager
Unit 4
American Literature
107
Name
Date
SELECTION TEST A, CONTINUED
Vocabulary
Choose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word. (6 points each)
6. Expatriated means
A. banished
A. helpful
B. injured
B. humorous
C. forgotten
C. cheerful
D. ignored
D. strong
7. A pariah is
THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT
9. What does jocular mean?
10. Querulous means
A. an escort
A. weak
B. a gambler
B. miserable
C. an outcast
C. complaining
D. a criminal
D. dangerous
8. Amicable means characterized by
A. peacefulness
B. affection
C. innocence
Written Response
Short Response Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the story.
Write a sentence or two on a separate sheet of paper. (10 points each)
11. Why do the outcasts head toward Sandy Bar?
12. What is one of Mr. Oakhurst’s opinions of luck?
Extended Response Answer the following question based on your knowledge of the
story. Write one or two paragraphs on a separate sheet of paper. (20 points)
13. Is the snow a destructive or a purifying force? Use three details from the story to
support your response.
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Unit 4
American Literature
Resource Manager
Copyright by McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company
D. goodwill