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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. The real purpose for Sister Leopolda's long oak pole with the hook at the end is:
(a) Opening closet doors.
(b) Opening high windows.
(c) Shaking birds' nests from the trees.
(d) Tapping bread loaves in the oven.

2. Beverly surrenders to Lulu's charms at the end of the story because:
(a) He thinks it will persuade her to release Henry Jr.
(b) He feels he owes it to his brother to stay.
(c) He is afraid of what the sons will do if he tries to leave.
(d) He has always been powerless against her.

3. When Nector arrives, what does Marie do with the letter?
(a) Back under the sugar jar where he left it.
(b) In the bonfire Gordie has made.
(c) In her pocket to hide it from the children.
(d) Underneath the piles of potatoes she has peeled.

4. Marie attempts to overthrow Leopolda and punish her by:
(a) Telling the nuns how Leopolda scarred her hand.
(b) Hitting her with the iron spoon.
(c) Locking her in her room.
(d) Stealing her iron spoon.

5. In her vision, Marie sees herself as:
(a) A fish caught on a lure.
(b) A cloud of dust.
(c) An old nun like Leopolda.
(d) A golden saint tipped with diamonds.

Short Answer Questions

1. The fish images in the story imply:

2. Though she is heartbroken, Marie says she will not "park herself on the tracks for Nector," which means:

3. Marie smiles when she hears the Dark One in the closet because:

4. Marie compares herself to:

5. How are Marie and Rushes Bear "related" by the end of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Consider the chapter title "The Bridge." Explain the meaning you derive from this title.

2. What does the motif of coldness suggest in the chapter?

3. What do Beverly's blurred tattoos and weakened muscles suggest about him? What does the bird's continued flight suggest?

4. What is the tone of the meeting between Lulu and Marie at the end of the chapter.

5. What does the motif of effort in chapter 6 reveal about Nector?

6. What effect does the third person limited point of view have on the reader's understanding of characters in the chapter entitled "Lulu's Boys?"

7. What does Lipsha decide about death in the chapter?

8. What effect do the sentence fragments have on events in the chapter?

9. What do Gerry and his unborn child have in common?

10. Describe the effect of Erdrich's motif of weather on the events of the chapter.

(see the answer keys)

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