1. What agreement does Pahom come to with the landowner?
(a) He will pay for the land over the next ten years, one-tenth at a time.
(b) He will work for her until the land is paid for.
(c) He will pay for half of the land up front and half within two years.
(d) He will pay less for the land because he can pay for it all in advance.

2. What reaction do the peasants have when they hear rumors about the sale of the land?
(a) They beg the woman not to sell her land.
(b) They decide that they need to buy it themselves.
(c) They go to court to try to add the land to the commune.
(d) They celebrate, because they do not like the landowner.

3. What does the stranger staying at Pahom's house overnight tell Pahom?
(a) That people in the new settlement beyond the Volga are making good money.
(b) The Bashkir are selling land very cheaply.
(c) Life in the countryside is difficult but secure.
(d) Life in town is very risky.

4. When the younger sister is "piqued," what is she feeling?
(a) Tired.
(b) Cautious.
(c) Angry.
(d) Curious.

5. How do Pahom's neighbors retaliate when he takes them to court?
(a) They get him kicked out of the commune.
(b) They let their animals trespass on his land on purpose.
(c) They press charges against him in court.
(d) They burn down his barn.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character thinks that "Busy as we are from childhood tilling Mother Earth, we peasants have no time to let any nonsense settle in our heads"?

2. What problem does the new steward create for the local peasants?

3. When Pahom feels "aggrieved," what is he feeling?

4. How many acres does the local landowner have?

5. Why does Pahom end up taking his neighbors to court?

(see the answer key)

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