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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 does the Indian call the person who helped heal him in Quebec?

2. What food remains the staple of the Sargents' diet during the long, harsh winter?

3. What is a jog?

4. Why does Dolly quickly insist on putting a splint on Joel's injured leg?

5. Who built the casket for Debby's body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Abby Welles say a heartfelt goodbye to when the men leave? What does this say about her choice of suitors?

2. Why does Marguerite think that Ira Sargent has grown sullen? What does she do about it?

3. What offer does Joel Sargent make to Marguerite at the end of the novel?

4. How does Caleb arrange to travel to Boston on the Fortunate Star?

5. Who does Marguerite run into while she is walking in the woods Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols on her own? What does he tell her? What does she give him?

6. What does Marguerite go out into the fog to gather in Part 4? What happens when she does?

7. What condition is the dog in when he makes his way back to house after the Indian attack the night of the corn shelling?

8. What work does Joel take on by himself when Ira and Caleb go away on the Fortunate Star?

9. Marguerite sees smoke at Sargent's Point when she goes to sit before the window after being criticized for her dance. Who does she tell? What do they do?

10. What does Marguerite learn was the only thing the Sargents routinely do to celebrate Christmas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Ethan Jordan? Who has he been courting since before the arrival of the Sargents? How does the arrival of the Jordans change Ethan's romantic intentions? How does Ethan react to this change? What does this say about Ethan? About the time period in which the novel is set? Who is Seth Jordan? What warning does he give the Sargents upon their initial arrival in the channel? What does Seth think of their refusal to listen to his advice? What does Seth do to help or hinder the Sargents? Why does he do this?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Ira Sargent? Why has he come to help settle his brother's new farm? What does Ira hope to get out of the work on the farm? Who catches Ira's eye from nearly the beginning? Who else was courting this girl? When does Ira learn that this girl has chosen him? Why does Ira not marry her immediately? What does Ira want to do before he can marry? Why does Ira leave on a ship for a time int he middle of summer? How does this impact the work on the farm?

Essay Topic 3

Who is Aunt Hespa? How does Marguerite come to meet her? What is their relationship like from the first meeting? What does Aunt Hespa have that Marguerite admires? What does Aunt Hespa show Marguerite on their first meeting? What does Aunt Hespa have to teach Marguerite? How many times does Marguerite visit Aunt Hespa to help with chores and projects? What quilt pattern does Aunt Hespa show Marguerite? What gift does Aunt Hespa make to Marguerite at the end of the novel?

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