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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. How do the narrator and Jim become acquainted?

2. What rumor about Pavel circulates in the community?

3. Who sold the Shimerda family their home?

4. Which of the following is not a topic of complaint by Mrs. Shimerda in Chapter 17?

5. Who accompanies Jim on his train trip to Nebraska in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Antonia predict the winter will affect her family differently than Jim's?

3. Describe Jim's encounter with the rattlesnake as he and Antonia return from Russian Peter's

4. Does Antonia attend school? Why or why not?

5. Describe Peter and Pavel

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

7. Retell the story Antonia shares with Jim and the Harlings about the tramp and the thresher

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

9. Describe the relationship between the Shimerdas and Krajiek

10. Retell the story about Lena being responsible for Antonia's feelings about the girl.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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