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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 can one see from the window of Karl's hotel room?

2. What does Sita use on her forehead to prevent wrinkles?

3. On what is Karl lying in the beginning of chapter 3?

4. Who faints in chapter 1?

5. What town is mentioned in the first sentence of "The Branch"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does The Air Seeder work?

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

4. Describe the appearance of Omar and Adelaide at the end of chapter 3.

5. What does Karl fantasize about his mother in chapter 3? Why?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in detail the character of Fleur Pillager and her role in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

How does the setting of Sita's home parallel her life, personality, and choice of death? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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