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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. What did Alvin think when he 'saw' the fresh corpse beneath the soil?

2. What is Horace Guester's knack?

3. How many years had past since Alvin had been an apprentice of Makepeace?

4. What displayed the visitor's profession?

5. What was the first thing Alvin said without anger?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Hank feel about Alvin?

3. Why does Peggy not admire her father for helping Black slaves get north and free?

4. What decision changed little Peggy's life, and in what way did it change?

5. Why did Alvin dig out a well that he knew wouldn't do any good?

6. What sacrifice did the Black slave girl make? Why did she make this choice?

7. Why does Horace need his secret kept, and why is it in the best interests of Alvin not to tell his secret?

8. What was the Unmaker's tool in the land?

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

10. Who was it that stopped Alvin from being overcome by the Unmaker?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the newer forms of technology that are talked about in the novel for the era that the novel was set. What are some of the newer ideas, concepts, and things that are discussed when the reader takes into account that the novel was set in the early 1800s?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the stereotypes that the Berry's reinforced in order to keep Arthur Stuart safe. How did their reputations pay a price when Arthur Stuart came about? Was this a fair trade for the security of the boy?

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)

This section contains 998 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample