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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. Which of the following is not a regular occurrence in the evenings at the Harling house?

2. What does Antonia tell Jim about her father when she and her mother come to visit the Burdens after the winter thaw?

3. Who sponsors the dance tent in Black Hawk?

4. What does Mr. Shimerda promise to give Jim when he is older?

5. Why do Antonia and Jim travel to Russian Peter's in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about January 22 in this novel?

2. Why do the Shimerdas have difficulty getting Mr. Shimerda buried? Where is he ultimately interred?

3. What is a rattlesnake cane? What is its importance for the Burdens?

4. How does Mrs. Shimerda act when she and Antonia visit the Burdens after the thaw? How does Jim respond to her?

5. Describe the gifts that Jim and his grandparents give to the Shimerdas for Christmas.

6. How does the Hardings' household change when Mr. Harling comes home from work?

7. What change in Jim's life occurs in the first chapter of Book 2? How does it affect him?

8. What change occurs in Black Hawk in the Spring? How does this affect the people living there?

9. Describe Jim's first impressions of the Nebraska landscape. Why do you think he responds in this way?

10. Describe the relationship between the Shimerdas and Krajiek

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The influence of men on Antonia's development is a recurring topic in My Antonia. Select two of the following men and discuss the relationship between him and Antonia. Focus your discussion on the ways the the man does or does not influence her development in a positive way. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

1) Jim

2) Ambrosch

3) Mr. Shimerda

4) Larry Donovan

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes My Antonia explores is family. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

In My Antonia a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: Wick Cutter, Otto Fuchs, Tiny Soderball, Ambrosch Shimerda. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story

3) The impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

(see the answer keys)

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