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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 is the name of the homestead act which encouraged Swedish people to immigrate to Minnesota?

2. What seems to serve as a symbol of the Sioux's uprising in the La Croix Valley?

3. What do the Sioux Indians take from Sven's farm after the massacre?

4. What item does Klas Albert convince Karl to buy for the house?

5. William J. Sturgis of Company B of the Fifth Minnesota Regiment carries an Indian alarm 120 miles in only ________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the toll on the settlers during the Sioux Indian war?

2. What is the state of Kristina's health after three days and how does she behave that frightens Karl?

3. What is Kristina's state of mind during her illness and why does Karl not tell her about the ringing church bells?

4. What item does Klas Albert convince Karl to buy, and what benefit does it bring to Karl's family?

5. Why is Ulrika upset at her son's choice of occupation?

6. What does Karl think about the coffins he has built in his life as he builds Kristina's coffin?

7. Why does Karl not evacuate to town when the other settlers are doing so?

8. How does the changing Indian cliff serve as a metaphor for the sorrows of the Sioux Indians?

9. Which of Karl and Kristina's relatives are killed in the first Indian attack, and who is the only one to survive?

10. How does the Indian cliff take on a more threatening presence as the Indian attacks increase?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Kristina. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What is her daily life like? What motivates her during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 2

Moberg is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Karl spends some alone time throughout the novel to contemplate his life. What does he think about? What conclusions does he arrive at? Explain why he is in a contemplative mood at this point in time.

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