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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. Why did Alvin shake Horace Guester's hand gladly?

2. What does the African slave girl think Peggy's voice belongs to?

3. What do men measure, according to Mistress Modesty?

4. What did Alvin first think when he saw the blacksmith?

5. Where was Peggy headed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What action shocked the traveling priest?

2. Why wasn't Peggy as dressed up as some of the other girls at the ball?

3. Why does Cavil perceive his visitor as an overseer?

4. For what reasons did Cavil find himself cursed?

5. What was the difference between Hank and other dowsers?

6. Why couldn't Alvin simply fill the well that he had dug and make Hank Dowsers' well good?

7. What did Cavil do that he felt was godly and righteous?

8. Why was the Berry's saying that this half white child was theirs was the best bet to ensure the child's survival?

9. What did Peggy notice about Mistress Modesty's heart when she was looking at Peggy?

10. How did Peggy see the world around the Hio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Alvin's behavior at Hatrack Mouth as gallant heroism, or unabashed brutality. Document your opinion either utilizing Alvin's opinion of himself while he was playing up to the river rats, or Miss Larner's behavior after he had defended her honor.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the exchange of information that occurs between Measure and Alvin at the end of the novel. How do each benefit from the knowledge the other is willing to teach? Whose knowledge is more specific to certain circumstance? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

How does this novel paint a dark picture of slavery and therefore of American history? Is it important to keep in mind the past? Why or why not? What is important about remembering the era of slavery in America?

(see the answer keys)

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