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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 has Karl planted for use in the future for clothing?

2. What quickly spread throughout the region?

3. What does Thomassen ask of Kristina?

4. What does Petrus do before eating?

5. What does Karl do in the newspaper?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kristina take note of Njord at Ulrika's party?

2. Why does Karl get an ox and how does he get one?

3. Who is Kristina's best friend, where does she live and what does Kristina decide to do concerning her friend?

4. What does Robert do when the two brothers argue about Robert, saying he is wealthy now?

5. What do Robert and Arvid find out about heading to California from St. Louis when they arrive, and what do they do in St. Louis?

6. What has happened to Kristina that makes her worry and wonder how Karl will react?

7. How did Robert get out of the desert and where do he and Mario go after the desert incident? What happens to Mario there?

8. Who arrives in Center City to open a general store and how does it go for him? How do the women feel about him?

9. When did Karl get back from Stillwater in Wildcat Riches and what does he tell Kristina when he gets home?

10. What happens with Johan and why when a storm hits when Karl and Johan are on the road?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Settlers is written in the genre of historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets historical fiction apart from other genres? Discuss several characteristics of historical fiction that are absent in other genres and vice verse.

2. Some people might say that historical fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree? Explain.

3. Discuss why The Settlers falls under the genre of historical fiction.

4. Why do you think literary criticism breaks down fiction into genres? Do you think the labeling of genre to a work is useful to a reader? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Children of God is the sequel to Sparrow.

1. What are two advantages of writing two novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are two disadvantages of writing two novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a stand-alone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a stand-alone book versus a sequel? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Karl notes that the stove he buys for Kristina is called the "queen" and that the stove has a bearing that is almost regal. However, he says that he has always taken control of all matters related to the outside while Kristina has reigned over the inside. He says that the stove may be called the "queen", but that the reality is that Kristina is the ruler.

1. Do you think Kristina really is the "ruler" in the family? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

2. Explain the irony of Karl buying a Christmas present for Kristina which is basically a work tool. What might this say about their lives? Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

3. Considering that Karl is able to vote in elections but Kristina is not, that Karl is the one who decided to bring the family to America and Karl decided what house to build, and so many other issues, do you think Karl is wrong when he says he is ruler only of the outside or does it seem the power is not equal in the relationship? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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