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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. Who is the dressmaker for Aurelia and Rose?

2. To whom has Willis Chester become engaged in Chapter 14?

3. What state's presidential primary election is the focus of the news broadcasts in Chapter 13?

4. What servant in Thatcher's home has given her notice in Chapter 16?

5. How long has it been since Nick's death in the opening of Chapter 15?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are Willa's future plans at the end of her narrative in Chapter 17?

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

4. What are the principles Thatcher presents in his opening for the debate in Chapter 12?

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

6. Where has Tig decided to move in Chapter 15? Why?

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

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

9. What do Tig and Zeke argue about in Chapter 11?

10. About what do Jorge and Zeke argue in Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the real-life individual Captain Landis and his portrayal in the novel. What led Landis to found Vineland? When was it founded? What are other noteworthy aspects of Landis's story? Would you say he is a protagonist or antagonist in the novel? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the controversies of Charles Darwin and his work historically, and examine how these controversies are portrayed in the novel. When was Origin of Species published? How was it received critically? Why is Darwin's work, and the understanding of that work, important in Unsheltered?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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