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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 doesn't Susan become friends with any of the people in New Almaden?

2. Where do the Wards go after New Almaden?

3. How does the author use Shelley to expand the storyline?

4. Who is Mrs. Elliott?

5. The road to Leadville from the train station is long and arduous. What are just a few of the things that happened on the voyage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What characteristics are further brought out once Susan joins her husband in New Almaden?

2. Why is Oliver unsuccessful in his attempts to market his invention?

3. Why do Lyman and Al become better friends in the present than they were as children?

4. What is Susan's state of mind in this chapter?

5. Is life harmonious and happy for the Wards in Leadville?

6. How does Susan present her New Almaden life to Augusta in their correspondence?

7. In what ways in this chapter does the author remind the reader of Susan's issues?

8. What makes Lyman wonder about his grandmother's sexual preferences?

9. What does Lyman hope to accomplish during the writing about his grandparents' lives?

10. How are the 24 canaries sent to Shelley like the elk head sent to Susan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the characters of Susan and Oliver. List traits, character deficiencies, methods for dealing with adversity, outlook on life, love and their goals and dreams. How do they mesh and how do they clash?

Essay Topic 2

What role did Shelley Rasmussen play in the plot movement in this novel? How did she compare with Susan Ward in Lyman's eyes? How did the author use Shelley to explain Lyman's character?

Essay Topic 3

How is life today different from the life described by the author for Susan and Oliver Ward? How do you think their lives would have been different if they had been married in 2008 instead of the 1800's?

(see the answer keys)

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