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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose house does Per Hansa come upon after he is lost in the blizzard with his oxen?

2. What does Beret call the blizzards?

3. What activity do Per Hansa and his boys engage in for three days to prepare for winter?

4. Why does Per Hansa check the ground before he plants?

5. Who comes to ask Per Hansa if he will make the trip to find the minister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel includes many religious and Biblical aspects whether they were subtle allusions to the Bible or religious sayings or outright preaching and ministry. Discuss the religious aspects of the novel. Which character or characters are most involved in the religious aspects? How is religion or Biblical allusion part of the daily life of the settlers? What part does religion play in their lives? Provide examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the title of the novel, Giants in the Earth. Who are the "giants" in the earth? What does this label designate? What is the title's relationship to the idea that the Hansa family is used as a means to tell a universal story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how the community of Spring Creek grows over time. Do you think that this is typical of pioneer communities of the time? How were the settlers of Spring Creek so successful when other men and women of the pioneer were not? Explain your answer.

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