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 pay for half of the land up front and half within two years.
(c) He will work for her until the land is paid for.
(d) He will pay less for the land because he can pay for it all in advance.

2. Which word is a synonym for "haggle"?
(a) Gather.
(b) Criticize.
(c) Bargain.
(d) Argue.

3. Where is Pahom when his wife and her sister are talking?
(a) Bringing in loads of wood.
(b) Working in the field.
(c) Lying on the stove.
(d) Resting in his cot.

4. The story opens with two sisters. What does the older sister's husband do for a living?
(a) He is an innkeeper.
(b) He is a commune leader.
(c) He is a farmer.
(d) He is a tradesman.

5. What does the older sister brag about?
(a) Her loyal husband.
(b) Her comfortable life.
(c) Her clever children.
(d) Her housekeeping skill.

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. Who calls Pahom's land a "narrow hole"?

3. How do Pahom's neighbors retaliate when he takes them to court?

4. Who is the man in the large fox-fur hat?

5. What does Pahom tell the Bashkirs is wrong with the land where he comes from?

(see the answer key)

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