What is the central conflict driving the narrative?

• A. A dispute over land titles.
• B. Mattie's pursuit of Chaney to avenge her father's murder amid frontier dangers and moral ambiguity.
• C. A feud between two ranchers.
• D. A quest for a legendary treasure.

Answer: (B)

This item tests understanding of the main conflict: Mattie Ross’s determination to see Chaney pay for her father’s murder, pursued through a ruthless frontier where danger is constant and moral judgments are murky. That vow to seek justice drives every action, from hiring Rooster Cogburn to tracking Chaney across harsh terrain and facing risky, morally ambiguous choices about violence and vengeance. The frontier setting amplifies the stakes—law, loyalty, and grit intersect as Mattie navigates threats and temptations alike. The other options miss the central pull of the story because there isn’t a focus on land titles, a rancher feud, or a treasure quest—the plot centers on this pursuit and the ethical tension it creates.