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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. Where does Ivar think he gets his spells from?

2. What does Carl say he never sees Marie do?

3. What major new service is available in the area in Part 2?

4. Where does Carl's family decide to move when times get tough?

5. What did John Bergson's father do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of hardships has John Bergson faced in his attempts at farming?

2. What is Frank upset about when he comes home while Carl and Alexandra are visiting?

3. What is the common view of Emil in Part 2, and why is this so surprising?

4. What question does Alexandra ask Ivar about her hogs, and what is his response?

5. What does Alexandria tell Carl when she meets him in town at the beginning of the book, and how does he respond?

6. What does Amedee tell Emil he should do to be happy?

7. What does Carl do to cheer Alexandria up when she returns home at the beginning of the book?

8. What happens when Alexandra sees Carl in the garden?

9. What does the author compare Emil and Amedee to while Emil is visiting Amedee and his new wife?

10. What does Alexandra do while looking at the riverside property?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What were some of the forms of foreshadowing used in this book, and how did those moments affect the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 2

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Willa Cather have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

Essay Topic 3

Alexandra endures many different trials before the end of the book. What are some of these trials and what lessons does she learn through these experiences?

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This section contains 737 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample