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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 Dagmar ask Mama to do with the cat?

2. Who does Mama have see to pay for the surgery?

3. What is the name of the specialist who is going to perform Papa's surgery?

4. Where does Christine leave her weekly wages?

5. Why is the cat's name changed to "Uncle Elizabeth"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mama shaking until she finds out Christine is going to be fine?

2. What makes Uncle Elizabeth such an odd cat?

3. Why does Christine want to work instead of continuing her education?

4. Why does Papa pretend to be lazy about his household chores?

5. How are the boarders "part of the family"?

6. Why does Mama go flying?

7. What is Aunt Elna's favorite thing to do?

8. Why do the aunts and uncles come over when Papa goes to the hospital?

9. How is Mama able to afford Katrin's graduation present?

10. Why can Mama comfort Christine when Nels and Frank can not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did the author choose Katrin to be the narrator? Would the book be just as good if another character had been chosen to narrate? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

How are Katrin's school friends similar to the aunts? What changes do each group go through during the novel to make them good and/or evil?

Essay Topic 3

There is a common theme throughout the novel of anything being possible when it comes to family. Mama often says "is good" or "all is good." What does she mean by this statement, and why is it repeated throughout the book? Describe two or three instances when a family member shows that he or she will do anything to protect or show love for another family member.

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