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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the men purchase in the village before leaving Zakopane?
(a) Books and hatchets.
(b) Knives and blankets.
(c) Liquor and clothing.
(d) Blankets and hatchets.

2. When is the story set?
(a) Early 1800's.
(b) Early 1920's.
(c) Late 1800's.
(d) Late 1700's.

3. How does Maryna describe the change in her since beginning the trip to America?
(a) "I am hot and tired of this."
(b) "I adore travel."
(c) "I swim in vacancy."
(d) "I am not prepared for this hardship."

4. Why does the captain of the ship ask Ryszard not to go to the steerage section again?
(a) The people there might have contageous diseases.
(b) Julian asked the captian to forbid Ryszard from going anymore.
(c) People below complained to the captain.
(d) It is against the law to wander below the main deck.

5. What promise does Maryna make the Dowanger Countess the first time they meet?
(a) She will not have children with Bogdan.
(b) She wil not return to the manor again.
(c) She will not leave Bogdan if she falls in love with someone esle.
(d) She will protect Bogdan from Ignacy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the little boy ask for when dinner is served?

2. What toast does Maryna offer?

3. Who does the dinner conversation center around?

4. What announcement did Maryna wish she had made at the party?

5. What was the name of one of the articles Ryszard sent to the Gazetta Polska?

Short Essay Questions

1. Once on board the ship, the narrator gives a detailed description of the steerage section of the ship. What is the steerage section, who travels steerage, and what stigma does it hold?

2. Henryk's farewell gift to Maryna when she leaves for America is a book. What is the title of the book, and what is Maryna's response to the book?

3. In Chapter Four, Maryna explains that in some places, the oldest is best. However, in America she says "biggest is best." What does she mean by this? What does she see that supports her observation? Is she displeased by this?

4. In Chapter Zero, the narrator gives us a picture of Maryna by quoting her saying "we must always ask more of ourselves." What conclusions does the narrator draw from this statement and Maryna's behavior at the party?

5. Maryna explains to Henryk why they are traveling to California by ship. What are the reasons? What is the faster way to get to California from New York? How does the trip go?

6. While he is in the steerage section of the ship, Ryszard is brought by a deckhand to meet a bedraggled man. This man offers his niece, Nora, to Ryszard. What kinds of emotions does Ryszard have while below the ship in steerage? How does this experience change him?

7. In Chapter Zero, from whose voice is the story told? Who is the narrator? What does the narrator reveal about herself?

8. As the story opens, the narrator describes the room in which people are conversing and drinking. Who are these people? How does the narrator know them?

9. Who does Maryna see in Bremen? What is the purpose of their meeting? How does Maryna feel at the end of the meeting?

10. How do the Saloon passengers gain entry into America? How do the steerage passengers leave the ship? How do Julian and Ryszard leave the ship, and where do they go?

(see the answer keys)

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