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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. When Lyman's mother dies, who takes responsibility for his education?

2. What are the names of the Ward children?

3. What observations does Shelley share with Lyman about his grandfather?

4. What is Lyman's main concern at this point

5. Susan says the trip to Mexico was to her, like a trip to two Old World cities - which ones?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the tone of Susan's letter to Augusta in this chapter?

2. What is the theme of this chapter?

3. Why do Oliver and Susan argue when he returns from the mine inspection in Mexico?

4. How does Oliver disappoint Susan and embarrass her to her family and friends?

5. What are Oliver's reasons for sending Pricey back to England?

6. Do the Wards reach an angle of repose during this period? What is threatening to cause that balance to shift?

7. What is Susan's impression of Mexico?

8. In this chapter, Lyman describes some of the resources he uses to recreate the life of his Grandmother Susan Ward. Describe them.

9. Why does Frank commit suicide?

10. What is Susan's attitude towards Oliver when she returns to New York and is with her friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Oliver continue to fail? Take each job and analyze what he could have done differently to keep the position and stay with that company. Did he make the decision that was best for his family each time?

Essay Topic 2

Why was Susan so enamored of Mexico? Why was she able to produce her illustrations in such quantity while there?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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