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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 has happened to the irrigation project?

2. What is Susan's observation about the lives of Mexican women?

3. Of what does Oliver accuse Susan?

4. Why does the Ward family have to move from Boise into the canyon?

5. What is Susan doing in this chapter just before Oliver returns home?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In this chapter, how does Susan's relationship with Frank Sargeant change?

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

5. What is the underlying message to Augusta in Susan's letter from Mexico?

6. Why does Frank commit suicide?

7. How do Lyman's deepest feelings come out in his dream?

8. How has the Wards' life changed, and how has it stayed the same?

9. Why is Susan embarrassed for Oliver during the preparations of leaving for the mine in Mexico?

10. Oliver and Susan are in serious disagreement when he comes to New York - why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Susan maintain her genteel style of living even in the wild west? Give specific examples and why these items or styles were important to maintain the gentility.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

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