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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. Whose family is described in Chapter 11 as "a big, loyal household of parentless siblings holding it all together" (290)?

2. In the conclusion of Chapter 16, the author references the title of the novel in stating, "Without shelter, we stand in" what (426)?

3. Where is Johann Miescher from?

4. What does "Lex loci" translate to in English, as shown in Chapter 10 (258)?

5. To whom does Willa give the Navajo rug in Chapter 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you compare the demeanors of Thatcher and Cutler in the debate in Chapter 12?

2. Where are Thatcher and Mary in Chapter 18? How is the setting described?

3. What are Mary's future plans in Chapter 18?

4. How have the living/sleeping arrangements in Willa's house changed in Chapter 11? Why?

5. How does Thatcher's memory of sleeping in a tree relate to his current circumstances in Chapter 16?

6. How does the debate conclude in Chapter 12?

7. What important information does Thatcher learn from Carruth in Chapter 10?

8. How is the theme of generational differences explored in Chapter 15?

9. Why has Iano left in Chapter 15? Where has he gone?

10. What are Thatcher's future plans in Chapter 18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the political landscape in the nineteenth century timeline in Unsheltered. What war has just ended? How did it end? Who is the President of the United States at this time? How is he portrayed in the novel? How would you compare this political landscape to that of the contemporary timeline?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of class differences in Unsheltered. How is class demonstrated in the different timelines of the novel? How does one's class or station influence the character's actions in the narrative? Which characters stand in stark difference in relation to class? How does this create conflict?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the references and allusions to contemporary politics, media, and pop culture in Unsheltered. Based on the political events described in the contemporary timeline, when does Willa's story begin? How does Willa feel about the political landscape in which she lives? How do you relate to Willa's thoughts on this regard?

(see the answer keys)

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