Building the Big Bend

The author includes a map of Texas to —

• highlight the area that inspired a tall tale

• illustrate the distance between cities

• show the route the cowboy was following

• identify the major natural landmarks

Based on lines 8 and 10, what can the reader conclude about Cowboy?

• He knows a lot about growing turnips.

• He works for the husband and wife.

• He is familiar with the land around him.

• He has long known the husband and wife.

Why are lines 26 and 27 important to the plot of the play?

• They explain how the problem is discovered.

• They describe the cause of the problem.

• They explain why the problem might happen again.

• They describe how the problem is solved.

How does the turnip farm setting contribute to the plot of the play?

• The main characters love eating turnips.

• The turnip farm shows the season of the year.

• The main problem happens because turnips need water.

• The narrator has long worked on the turnip farm.

This play is divided into three scenes to —

• describe the thoughts of three different characters

• include dialogue, conflict, and plot

• show three different places

• tell the beginning, middle, and end of a story

Which characteristic of the play best identifies it as a tall tale?

• It has a setting that is unrealistic.

• It has events that are hard to believe.

• It has characters who try to do something.

• It has a narrator who tells the story.

Which line from the play best supports the answer to Part A?

• COWBOY: I don’t see any turnips. And I don’t see any water,

  either. (line 6)

• WIFE: Move our farm? What a crazy idea. We like it here! (line 11)

• COWBOY: . . . Well, howdy, again. What are you folks doing now?

  (line 23)

• NARRATOR: . . . Okay, maybe it wasn’t the whole truth. (line 29)

What is the theme of the play?

• Teamwork can lead to amazing things.

• Change can take a long time to accept.

• Curiosity can lead to unexpected discoveries.

• New skills can be learned at any age.

What is the relationship between Husband and Wife like in the play?

• They each want different things.

• They enjoy doing things for each other.

• They make decisions together.

• They like to complain about each other.