View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the issue between Susan and Oliver that clouded their trip to Leadville?
(a) Oliver was drinking
(b) Susan wanted to drive the wagon
(c) Oliver would not stop so Susan could draw
(d) Oliver had to whip the horses to keep the wagon from going over a cliff, and Susan felt he was being cruel and mean

2. Why does the author call this period a blissful time for his grandmother?
(a) She is falling in love with the mine supervisor
(b) She is in a coma
(c) She is back east with Augusta
(d) Her career is growing; she has intelligent conversations with their visitors, and she is pregnant.

3. What is the purpose of Rodman's discussion with Lyman concerning Oliver's time at Deadwood?
(a) To show Rodman's interest in his father's book
(b) It allows the author to cover the time Oliver spent in Deadwood without the usual narration or correspondence plot devices.
(c) To test Lyman's mental faculties
(d) To remind the reader that Rodman and Lyman are related

4. Who is Frank Sargeant?
(a) Oliver's assistant in Leadville and becomes a longtime family friend
(b) Ollie's childhood friend
(c) Susan's editor
(d) Oliver's boss

5. What is the reason for the Wards' financial problems when Susan arrives?
(a) Susan has spent too much money on her wardrobe
(b) Oliver has an opium habit
(c) The mine supervisor originally said the improvements to the Ward home would be paid for by the mine, then changed his mind
(d) Oliver has lost his job

6. What is the understanding between Oliver and Susan that develops during their five year correspondence?
(a) That Susan's family will finance Oliver's projects
(b) That Susan will draw Oliver's likeness for his personal stationery
(c) That Oliver will be the best man at Susan's wedding to Thomas
(d) That Susan will become Oliver's wife

7. Why does Lyman call himself a "man of stone"?
(a) His family name is Stone
(b) He is taking steroids
(c) Because he is physically unable to move his head from side to side.
(d) He is mute.

8. What odd presents did Oliver send from Leadville to Susan and Ollie in Milton?
(a) A Christmas tree and a puppy
(b) Liquor and candy
(c) Twenty-four canaries
(d) Beaver skins and a gigantic elk head

9. What is a recurring plot device used by the author?
(a) Several points of view
(b) Flashback
(c) Letters from Susan to Augusta and others which move the story along and let readers know what has happened.
(d) Symbolism

10. What advice does Mrs. Elliott give to Susan?
(a) Allow Oliver to return to engineering work rather than concentrate on marketing cement?
(b) Get rid of Marian the nanny
(c) Leave the baby with her when they move to Bolivia
(d) Become a boarding house manager

11. Who meets her train when she arrives at her destination?
(a) No one
(b) Augusta and Thomas
(c) Oliver's family
(d) Her family

12. Why is Susan intent upon Oliver pursuing a career other than mining?
(a) She is allergic to mine dust
(b) She wants her family to have a permanent home, as Augusta and Thomas have
(c) Susan wants to travel
(d) Susan thinks engineering is boring

13. Who is Pricey?
(a) Susan's pet name for her wagon
(b) The gardener
(c) Susan's horse
(d) Oliver's clerk from England

14. What criticism does Shelley offer about Lyman's writing?
(a) His love scenes between Oliver and Susan are not graphic enough
(b) He is not descriptive enough about scenery
(c) It is not easy to read
(d) He uses too many big words

15. What is Lyman's fear?
(a) That his son will place him into an institution and take away his freedom.
(b) Ed will accidentally hurt himself
(c) That Ada will fall down the stairs while carrying him
(d) Shelley will leave with Larry

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Susan's overall impression of the mine workers?

2. How does the author use Shelley to expand the storyline?

3. What does Lyman originally think of Shelley?

4. Why didn't Oliver send the train fare for his wife and her maid?

5. What reason does Augusta give Susan for disliking Oliver?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample