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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. Why do Mother and Father let Eldon and Wayne jump into the straw pile for hours at a time?

2. What does Eldon say makes the seagulls less pretty?

3. How old is Uncle David?

4. Who made the rock fireplace at the lake?

5. Why do Wayne and Eldon jump on the stacks of hay after it's cut?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Uncle David believe everyone works so much harder in the summer than in the winter?

2. What are some of the smells Eldon describes in the opening chapter called "Tuning?"

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

4. What does Eldon say in response to Wayne's idea that spring is an "awakening," and why does he have this attitude?

5. How does Eldon describe the tractor and what does he say about his father being injured by the tractor?

6. What does Mother say about Jerseys and Holsteins?

7. Describe the haying process.

8. What are some of the things Eldon says happens when fall is over but winter hasn't yet formally arrived?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Wayne? Father? Mother? Uncle David? Nels? How is each related to Eldon? Which of these relationships is/are most important to the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is the story Uncle David tells about the woodcutter? What is the story really about? What are some of the feats the woodcutter is capable of? Are they believable?

Essay Topic 3

What are the activities that go on in the winter room? Why are these important to each of the characters and to the family as a whole?

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