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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 does Per Hansa leave the camp in the middle of the night in Book 1, Chapter 1?

2. Which of the following is NOT something that Per brings back with him in addition to lost cows that had wandered off?

3. Who in Per Hansa's family believes the family should travel back east for the winter?

4. Where does the journey of the Hansa family begin?

5. Where is the Hansa family headed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Hansa family.

2. What is Beret's reaction when the minister tries to baptize Peder Seier? Explain her reaction.

3. What is some of Beret's strange behavior that Per Hansa shares with the minister?

4. Why does Per Hansa go to the Indian camp in Book 1, Chapter 3? What does he discover once he gets there?

5. Describe what is happening when the locusts come to the settlement. What is the reaction of the settlers?

6. What is the minister's response to Per after he tells the minister his concerns about Beret?

7. Describe the weather in Book 1, Chapter 6. How does Beret feel about the whitewashing? What does it have to do with the weather?

8. What do the settlers do to try to help Hans Olsa when he is on his death bed?

9. What is the story of the man and woman who come to Spring Creek with the woman tied up in the wagon?

10. How does Henry Solum's teach school in the settlement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme or struggle of man versus himself is present in the novel, specifically through Per Hansa, but it can also be seen in other characters. Discuss this struggle within the novel. How is it present? How does it affect the character involved in the struggle and the other characters in the family or settlement? Provide examples.

Essay Topic 2

The novel includes many religious and Biblical aspects whether they were subtle allusions to the Bible or religious sayings or outright preaching and ministry. Discuss the religious aspects of the novel. Which character or characters are most involved in the religious aspects? How is religion or Biblical allusion part of the daily life of the settlers? What part does religion play in their lives? Provide examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Per Hansa. Is he a sympathetic character? Why or why not? What are his major downfalls? Where does he succeed? How do the aspects of his character guide his actions in the book and ultimately decide his fate? Provide examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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