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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. Where does Karl go after leaving Wallace Pfef's house in chapter 9?

2. What causes Sita to lose her good standing with the Catholic Church?

3. Sita reports in chapter 13 that she gave the sewing machine to whom?

4. When Dot runs away from home, what is her intended destination?

5. What type of sandwich does Sita make for Louis and Karl in chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does the Christmas play in chapter 11 end prematurely?

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

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

5. What is Celestine's opinion of Mary's cooking, as stated in chapter 11? Why does she hold this opinion?

6. How does Mary normally behave during a children's party?

7. Describe Sita's house, as pictured in chapter 13.

8. Describe Sita's hallucination in chapter 8.

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

10. Why does Louis take Sita to the mental hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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