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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bjartur's name mean?

2. Who donated the cow to the family?

3. What did Kolumkilli do when the Norsemen settled in Iceland as told in Section 1?

4. What does Rosa wish to leave on Gunnvor's tomb in Section 1?

5. When does the family get their cow in Section 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Sollilja's feelings about town change once she goes there in Section 2?

2. The novel opens with a story of Kolumkilli. Why would the author open with this story?

3. How does Rosa describe Summerhouse when she first sees it in Section 1?

4. What does Bjartur find when he comes back to Summerhouse after he is out searching for Gullbra, in Section 1?

5. What do Bjartur and Rosa argue about on their way back to Summerhouse in Section 1?

6. In Section 1, how are the conversations between the men and women different on Bjartur and Rosa's wedding day?

7. How does Asta Sollilja feel about the Bailiff's proposal of an education in Section 2, and what compromise is reached?

8. What do Rosa and Bjartur argue about during their first night back at Summerhouse?

9. How does Bjartur express his connection to his dog in Section 1?

10. How is Asta Sollilja described in Section 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although the novel is set in Iceland in the 1930s, there are multiple universal themes in the text that are timeless. Select 2 of these themes and write about how they are expressed in this story and how they are universally understood.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze how the theme of nature impacts the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the relationship between Asta Sollilja and Bjartur. Consider all of the key episodes in their relationship that shaped it.

(see the answer keys)

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