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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. Where do Eldon and Wayne put their mittens to dry?

2. What is upstairs in the barn?

3. Why is the corn cultivated several times while it's still young?

4. Why is the living room called the winter room?

5. Which of the animals killed each fall does Eldon say is the worst?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the stove in the winter room and what Wayne says the rails are for.

2. Describe Eldon's childhood illness and the effect it has had on his life.

3. What are the roles and the attitudes of Uncle David and Nels about the killing?

4. Describe the room next to the kitchen in the family home.

5. What do Wayne and Eldon do after they find the western?

6. Describe what Father is working on during his evenings in the winter room.

7. What are some of the sounds Elden describes in the opening chapter?

8. Describe what happens when Eldon and Mother take Father's lunch to the fields.

9. Compare Uncle David's side of the room with Nels' side.

10. What are some of the "lights" Eldon describes in the opening chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe what happens after Wayne and Eldon find the western novel. Why do you believe the boys are so caught up in the excitement of the book?

Essay Topic 2

What is the first story Uncle David tells each winter? Why is that story important to him? What are the reactions of each of the other family members to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Eldon talks about a time of division, such as the time between yesterday and today and the time between fall and winter. What does Eldon believe about the possibility that this division exists? What does Wayne believe? What do you believe? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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