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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the reason for the Wards' financial problems when Susan arrives?

2. Why does Susan find the advice confusing?

3. What is a good description of the Ward home?

4. Who is Lizzie?

5. What is Susan's attitude towards Oliver during this time in New Almaden?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Susan present her New Almaden life to Augusta in their correspondence?

2. Why are Mrs. Elliott's suggestions so confusing to Susan?

3. How is Susan's transformation into a western woman exemplified in this chapter?

4. Why do Lyman and Al become better friends in the present than they were as children?

5. Why is Lyman so uncomfortable around Shelley?

6. Is life harmonious and happy for the Wards in Leadville?

7. Explain how Susan and Oliver reach a certain angle of repose while living in New Almaden?

8. What attracted Susan to Oliver?

9. When Augusta disapproves of Oliver, what characteristics in Susan are brought to light?

10. How does the servant girl Lizzie provide an example to Susan of the western way of life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are Susan's qualities that make her a strong western woman? Give examples of each quality.

Essay Topic 2

How does this author use symbolism in the novel? Give specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

Could Susan have been a mining engineer? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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