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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 does Mary give Sita at the end of chapter 7?

2. How old is the boy in the first paragraph of "The Branch"?

3. What is the name of the person who rescues Karl?

4. Where is Wallace Pfef from?

5. Who suffers headaches as a result of flood damage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Celestine's appearance, as related in chapter 2.

2. Why does Mary give Sita the sewing machine in chapter 7?

3. Why does Martin Miller keep Mary's baby brother?

4. Why does Russell Kashpaw dislike Karl?

5. Describe the children's experience on the train in "The Branch."

6. Describe Chez Sita.

7. Describe Wallace Pfef's vision for the sugar beet, as described in chapter 6?

8. Why does Karl run back to the train at the end of "The Branch"?

9. Describe Mary's one attempt at romance.

10. Explain the town's reaction to Mary's accident in the ice in chapter 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of failed romance throughout the novel and how it affects the various characters' lives, particularly Mary's life.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Erdrich's sense of plot and narration in the following two scenes: when Mary has her accident in the ice and when Russell Kashpaw lights his menu on fire.

Essay Topic 3

Compare the symbol of Adelaide's jewel box with the symbol of the jewelry itself, discussing the various characters' perceptions of each.

(see the answer keys)

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