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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 Per Hansa name the pony that is given to him by the Indian chief?

2. What chore does Per Hansa give to Ole while he is away at town?

3. How many wagons are in the first group of Norwegian settlers that come to Spring Creek?

4. What is the name of the Hansa's cow?

5. What does the injured Indian give Per Hansa in exchange for helping him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Per Hansa's plan for his house.

2. What business proposition does Torkel Tallaksen present to Per Hansa? What is Per Hansa's response?

3. Describe the Hansa family.

4. What do the settlers do to try to help Hans Olsa when he is on his death bed?

5. Who goes to look for the cattle? What happens when this character returns?

6. How do the men convince the Solum boys to stay in Spring Creek for the winter?

7. What is the Hansa family doing as the novel opens? Why?

8. In the beginning of Book 1, Chapter 2, we see Hans Olsa at work. What is he busy doing and why does he keep getting distracted?

9. Describe Per Hansa's interaction with the Indians in Book 1, Chapter 3. Why do you think he is so concerned about the ailing chief?

10. What is the story of the man and woman who come to Spring Creek with the woman tied up in the wagon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the hardships of pioneer life. What are the hardships faced by the pioneers in the first year? Do the hardships change in subsequent years? Or does the life get any easier? How do the pioneers note their progression or success in their settlements? Explain using examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Moving out West and living on the prairie, there are bound to be interactions between Indians and settlers. At times, these can be negative interactions, but there are positive interactions. Do the settlers of Spring Creek have any interaction with the Indians in the novel? Describe these interactions. How do the settlers get along with the Indians? Do you think this was typical of the time? Provide examples of the interactions between settlers and Indians in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the dynamic of husbands and wives in the novel and in pioneer life. How is this dynamic present among the settlers in Spring Creek? What is the relationship between Per Hansa and Beret? Hans Olsa and Sorine? Tonseten and Kjersti? How do these relationships differ? Which of these relationships do you think is the best. Explain using examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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