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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. From what part of the cow does the cow's diamond come?

2. What does Wallace Pfef buy from the butcher shop in chapter 7?

3. Who is the only person towards whom Mary has romantic feelings?

4. What is the name of Mary's teacher in chapter 2?

5. What does Karl order for dinner while on his trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Karl act when he meets Jude Miller? Why?

2. In chapter 5, why does Catherine Miller write to Sita? How does Sita respond?

3. Describe the appearance of the pawn shop and the objects Sita buys there in chapter 5.

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

5. How does Mary react to receiving a postcard from Adelaide in chapter 3?

6. Describe the group of men who gather in the butcher shop in chapter 4.

7. In chapter 7, why does Wallace Pfef want to see Mary?

8. What happens to Fritzie's health in chapter 4? How does she change afterward?

9. In "The Branch," why do the children come to Argus?

10. Why does Karl hurt himself jumping on the bed in chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in detail Adelaide's character and the way she interacts with the various characters. Which characters does she love? Which characters does she feel able to abandon? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one theme that has appeared and reappeared throughout the novel. Describe its importance to the character it affects, and discuss its significance for the plot line.

Essay Topic 3

Choose a device from the novel that propels the plot forward. How does it work? What action does it bring about? What are other possible plot lines that the device could have brought about? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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