View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the phrase "Optima dies...prima fugit" mean?

2. Where does Lena tell Jim that Antonia is now working?

3. What character in "Camille" does Jim consider most sympathetic?

4. What do Antonia and Jim's grandmother discover when they return to the Cutter home to pack up Antonia's belongings?

5. Who is suspicious of Jim's visits to Lena?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jim describe the experience of going to the theatre?

2. Who proposes to Lena? How does she respond?

3. How does dancing with Lena differ from dancing with Antonia in Jim's mind?

4. Describe Antonia's preparations for marriage.

5. Why does Jim think it is ironic that Antonia's marriage failed?

6. How do Mr. and Mrs. Cutter respond to the incident in the Cutters' home between Jim and Wick?

7. Summarize the story Rudolph tells about the Cutters.

8. Describe Cuzak's life story as he tells it to Jim

9. How does Cleric Gaston interpret Virgil's line "Primus ego in patriam mecum . . . deducam Musas", or, "for I shall be the first, if I live, to bring the Muse into my own country.?"

10. What event occurs as Jim stays at the Cutters' home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Shimerda family is complex. Discuss:

1) the personalities of each of the characters

2) the ways that they influence each other

3) the impact of the collective family on the story line.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample