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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 did Wallace Pfef's "poor dead sweetheart" die?

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

3. Despite Dot's story to Mary in chapter 10, where is the "naughty box"?

4. What trait does Wallace Pfef admire most in Dot?

5. How old is Dot at the beginning of chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Celestine feel about the baby, Dot, in chapter 9?

3. Describe Sita's hallucination in chapter 8.

4. Why does Karl rescue Wallace Pfef from the dunk tank at the Beet Festival?

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

6. Describe Wallace Pfef's experience in organizing the Beet Festival.

7. What was Wallace Pfef's "private disaster" during the Christmas play, as mentioned in chapter 12? Why does he describe it that way?

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

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

10. In chapter 12, what does Wallace Pfef plan in order to regain Dot's affection? Does he succeed? Explain.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the Jell-O salad symbolize in the friendship between Mary and Celestine? What other objects symbolize something similar? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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

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.

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