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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What problem does the new steward create for the local peasants?
(a) He fines them when their animals trespass on his employer's land.
(b) He refuses to sell seed to those who do not own their own land.
(c) He demands payment of the peasants' outstanding loans.
(d) He does not supervise his cattle properly.

4. Which character says that "Loss and gain are brothers twain"?
(a) The local landowner.
(b) Pahom's wife.
(c) Pahom's sister-in-law.
(d) Pahom.

5. How far does Pahom walk in order to get to the new settlement?
(a) 300 miles.
(b) 130 miles.
(c) 30 miles.
(d) 3 miles.

6. What is a steward?
(a) Someone who takes care of someone else's property.
(b) An innkeeper.
(c) A shop owner.
(d) Someone who rents the land that they farm or graze animals on.

7. When Pahom feels "aggrieved," what is he feeling?
(a) Sad for something he has lost.
(b) So angry he cannot think clearly.
(c) As if someone has harmed him.
(d) Greedy.

8. What does Pahom's wife say may happen to a man in town?
(a) He may be tempted by the devil.
(b) He may be the victim of crime.
(c) He may die of stress.
(d) He may become lazy.

9. What is Pahom's first reaction when he learns that people are moving to a new settlement?
(a) He wants to sell his land and move.
(b) He tries to get their share of the commune lands.
(c) He thinks that maybe he can buy their land.
(d) He worries that there will not be enough workers for his land.

10. What does Pahom do when the court rules against him?
(a) He accuses the judges of taking bribes.
(b) He strips someone else's trees in revenge.
(c) He quits the commune in protest.
(d) He tries to appeal the case.

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

12. In which situation might someone "grease your palm"?
(a) If you were judging a contest they were in.
(b) If you were asking to have them predict your future.
(c) If you were trying to do something you had never done before.
(d) If you were getting ready to do manual labor.

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

14. Who calls Pahom's land a "narrow hole"?
(a) Pahom.
(b) Pahom's wife.
(c) The stranger who stays overnight at Pahom's house.
(d) Pahom's sister-in-law.

15. 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"?
(a) Pahom's sister-in-law.
(b) Pahom.
(c) Pahom's wife.
(d) Simon.

Short Answer Questions

1. The story opens with two sisters. What does the older sister's husband do for a living?

2. How many acres does the local landowner have?

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

4. How does Pahom's wife defend their life to her sister?

5. What does the stranger staying at Pahom's house overnight tell Pahom?

(see the answer keys)

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