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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. Why does Lyman Ward return to his family home?

2. Where is Susan and Oliver's first home?

3. Why was Thomas Hudson a frail and sickly man?

4. Why is the baby nicknamed Ollie?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Lyman resistant to Shelley's writing suggestions?

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

3. What characteristics are further brought out once Susan joins her husband in New Almaden?

4. How is the trip from Denver to Leadville symbolic of the Wards' marriage?

5. Why did Oliver resign from the New Almaden Mine?

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

7. How is Shelley's problem with her husband similar to Susan's problems with Oliver?

8. Why is Oliver unsuccessful in his attempts to market his invention?

9. How are the scenes in this chapter different from all the ones before and after as far as the marriage between Oliver and Susan?

10. What makes Lyman wonder about his grandmother's sexual preferences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

What are Susan and Oliver's basic complaints about each other? How do they try to resolve it, if at all? Give examples of her anger towards him, and his towards her.

(see the answer keys)

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