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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. Whose prescription medications does Sita have stored away for her own use?

2. What is the name of Dot's first grade teacher?

3. What book is Karl carrying in chapter 8 when he visits Sita?

4. What is the theme of the party thrown for Dot?

5. From what did Wallace Pfef's "poor dead sweetheart" die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Dot's appearance during the Beet Festival.

2. Describe Wallace Pfef's "poor dead sweetheart."

3. As discussed in chapter 8, why does Sita feel bad about her estrangement from the Catholic Church?

4. How do Mary and Celestine deal with Sita's body?

5. Describe Sita's hallucination in chapter 8.

6. How does Karl interact with Dot in chapter 12? Does Dot respond well? Explain.

7. Describe Dot's appearance in costume as Joseph.

8. Why does Mrs. Shumway send Dot to the "naughty box" in chapter 10?

9. What happens between Mary and Mrs. Shumway in chapter 10?

10. Describe the setting of "Russell's Night" in chapter 8.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

What does the rain at the end of the novel signify, and how does it compare to other symbols in the novel? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Erdrich's use of dialogue in the scene in which Karl and Wallace Pfef meet.

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