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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. What does Jacob declare the sugar maple sap tastes like?

2. What do the Sargents do with the sap once they have drained it from the trees?

3. Who is Marguerite a little afraid of seeing when they reach the Welles' farm?

4. What landmark does Marguerite try to fix in her mind to recall once she returns to Sargent's Point?

5. In part 3, what advice does Seth Jordan give Joel Sargent when Joel plans on his return to Sargent's Point?

Short Essay Questions

1. Marguerite sees smoke at Sargent's Point when she goes to sit before the window after being criticized for her dance. Who does she tell? What do they do?

2. What does Marguerite go out into the fog to gather in Part 4? What happens when she does?

3. Before having a meal during the corn shelling, what do the people of the area pray for?

4. Who does Abby Welles say a heartfelt goodbye to when the men leave? What does this say about her choice of suitors?

5. What does Marguerite learn was the only thing the Sargents routinely do to celebrate Christmas?

6. What condition is the dog in when he makes his way back to house after the Indian attack the night of the corn shelling?

7. What news do the men bring back from Sargent's Point when they return from checking on the cause of some smoke seen from Sunday Island?

8. What does Joel tell Dolly about their sources of meat now that the cow and most of the chickens are gone?

9. What offer does Joel Sargent make to Marguerite at the end of the novel?

10. What warning is stated in the final chorus of the song Aunt Hespa sings once more during the corn shelling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is unusual about the winter weather the first winter the Sargents are on their farm? What does winter weather prevent? What change in sleeping habits does the cold weather force the family to make? How does Debby get burned? How does this impact the family? What does Marguerite do to try to save her? Does it work? How does Marguerite feel about Debby's injuries and subsequent death? How does Dolly react? What does this reaction say about Marguerite? About Dolly?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Joel Sargent? Why has he sold everything he owns for a farm on the coast of Maine? What does Joel hope he can do with a farm? Does he? What does Joel find when he arrives at the farm? Why does Joel not allow his neighbors to talk him out of living somewhere else, such as one of the empty islands in the channel? Why does Joel insist on working his own farm that he paid for? What does this say about his character? How does Joel treat his children? How does he treat Marguerite? Why does Joel offer to send Marguerite away at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Who is Aunt Hespa? How does Marguerite come to meet her? What is their relationship like from the first meeting? What does Aunt Hespa have that Marguerite admires? What does Aunt Hespa show Marguerite on their first meeting? What does Aunt Hespa have to teach Marguerite? How many times does Marguerite visit Aunt Hespa to help with chores and projects? What quilt pattern does Aunt Hespa show Marguerite? What gift does Aunt Hespa make to Marguerite at the end of the novel?

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