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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 the author call this period a blissful time for his grandmother?

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

3. What happens to Ollie in this chapter?

4. Who meets her train when she arrives at her destination?

5. Why is the baby nicknamed Ollie?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Susan's attitude towards her marriage and new life in this chapter?

4. What attracted Susan to Oliver?

5. How is Susan's embarrassment with her husband's social abilities highlighted in this chapter?

6. Why are Shelley's problems critical to the story?

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

8. What is Susan's attitude about her one-room shack in Leadville?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role did Shelley Rasmussen play in the plot movement in this novel? How did she compare with Susan Ward in Lyman's eyes? How did the author use Shelley to explain Lyman's character?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author expound on his theme of the importance of choosing the right spouse, or how the choice of a marriage partner rules our life?

Essay Topic 3

How is life today different from the life described by the author for Susan and Oliver Ward? How do you think their lives would have been different if they had been married in 2008 instead of the 1800's?

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