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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What kind of events were held on Saturday nights in the small Vermont town?
(a) Movies.
(b) Square dances.
(c) Swap meets.
(d) Bar dances.

2. How, according to the Nearings, can you build whole, living, balanced soil?
(a) By burning areas of the forest.
(b) By burning leaves.
(c) By using soil from the forest only.
(d) By composting.

3. How did the Nearings make applesauce?
(a) They strained the apples through cheesecloth and canned them.
(b) They froze them in the freezer.
(c) They chopped up the apples and stored them through the winter until it was applesauce time.
(d) The "open kettle" way.

4. What did some people think of the Nearings when they visited them in Vermont?
(a) That they were uncordial.
(b) That they were too old to be working on a farm.
(c) That they would go hungry if they stayed.
(d) That they were sloppy.

5. How did the Nearings light their home?
(a) Gas.
(b) Electricity.
(c) Candles.
(d) With kerosene and candles.

6. How long had Jacklight foot lived in the valley?
(a) 20 years.
(b) 35 years.
(c) All his life.
(d) 10 month.

7. What did the Nearings use to cook in?
(a) Granite pots.
(b) Stainless steel, enamel, pottery, or glass vessels.
(c) Pottery only.
(d) Tin pans.

8. How did the Nearings divide their "jobs to be done" on their card index of activities?
(a) By "wood and fuel jobs" and "canning."
(b) By "clear weather jobs" and "rainy day jobs."
(c) By "cash labor" and "free labor."
(d) By "building projects" and "garden projects."

9. How was each work day divided up?
(a) 8 hours days with a lunch and two breaks.
(b) 4 hours of work and 4 hours of discussion.
(c) 4 morning hours and 4 afternnoon hours.
(d) 4 hours of inside work and 4 hours of outside work.

10. What level was the kitchen garden in Vermont?
(a) Below sea level.
(b) Up three steps.
(c) At waist-high level.
(d) On the level with the house.

11. At the Nearing's house, what "rounded out" breakfast?
(a) Coffee.
(b) A handful of cranberries.
(c) A handful of sunflower seeds.
(d) Cereal with milk.

12. What did the Nearings store potatoes, carrots, beets turnips, celery root and apples?
(a) In the greenhouse.
(b) In the garden, covered.
(c) In the refrigerator.
(d) In generous layers of leaves in the cellar.

13. What political persuasion were most Vermonters?
(a) Democrat.
(b) Republican.
(c) Communist.
(d) Independents.

14. Why did the Nearings NOT join a communal experience?
(a) They didn't want to move to the west coast.
(b) They didn't want to move to Europe.
(c) They didn't want to work with other people.
(d) There were none available or functioning into which they could have happily and effectively fit.

15. What did the Nearings have to do to pick their sweet peas?
(a) Stand on a stool or ladder.
(b) Put at ladder up in a tree.
(c) Hoe the row and pull them out.
(d) Bend and kneel on the ground.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much heat does an old-fashioned fireplace allow to go up the chimney?

2. What was 7 miles from the farm in Vermont?

3. What newspapers got on board to help the citizens of the valley then the mail was canceled?

4. Under optimum conditions, when should wheat be ground if you are baking?

5. What size were the Nearing's compost piles?

(see the answer keys)

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