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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 tradesman.
(c) He is a commune leader.
(d) He is a farmer.

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

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

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

5. How many acres does Pahom buy in his first land purchase?
(a) 40.
(b) 1,300.
(c) 13,000.
(d) 300.

6. How many acres does the local landowner have?
(a) 300.
(b) 13,000.
(c) 40.
(d) 1,300.

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

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

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

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

11. Which character thinks "I'll give you land enough; and by means of that land I will get you into my power"?
(a) Simon.
(b) The devil.
(c) Pahom's brother-in-law.
(d) The local landowner.

12. Whom does Pahom accuse of stripping his trees?
(a) Simon.
(b) The innkeeper.
(c) The head of the commune.
(d) His brother-in-law.

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

14. What does the expression "racked his brains" mean?
(a) Stared into space without thinking.
(b) Searched hard for an answer.
(c) Organized his thoughts.
(d) Felt very sad.

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 wife.
(b) Pahom's sister-in-law.
(c) Simon.
(d) Pahom.

Short Answer Questions

1. What reaction do the peasants have when they hear rumors about the sale of the land?

2. Where is Pahom when his wife and her sister are talking?

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

4. While the sisters talk, who is hiding behind the oven?

5. What does the older sister brag about?

(see the answer keys)

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