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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 Anton Jelinek believe the Shimerdas are not concerned about having a priest perform Mr. Shimerda's funeral?

2. What is Blind d'Arnault's talent?

3. Why do Antonia and Jim travel to Russian Peter's in Chapter 7?

4. Who sponsors the dance tent in Black Hawk?

5. What impact do the dances in Black Hawk have on the townspeople?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Hardings' household change when Mr. Harling comes home from work?

2. Describe Jim's encounter with the rattlesnake as he and Antonia return from Russian Peter's

3. Does Antonia attend school? Why or why not?

4. How does Mrs. Shimerda act when she and Antonia visit the Burdens after the thaw? How does Jim respond to her?

5. Retell the story Antonia shares with Jim and the Harlings about the tramp and the thresher

6. Describe Jim's first impressions of the Nebraska landscape. Why do you think he responds in this way?

7. Describe the Harlings.

8. Compare and contrast the town and city girls (from Jim's point of view).

9. Describe Blind d'Arnault and his journey to become a pianist

10. Describe the gifts that Jim and his grandparents give to the Shimerdas for Christmas.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select the most sympathetic and least sympathetic characters in the novel. Write an essay:

1) describing why you think each is sympathetic/not sympathetic

2) defend your position using details from the novel

Essay Topic 2

In the inscription for My Antonia Willa Cather quotes Virgil (Optima dies . . . prima fugit," or the best days are the first to flee). Discuss the significance of this quote for the novel as a whole. Why do you think the author chose this inscription? What commentary is she making?

Be sure to use specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The settings used in My Antonia almost serve as characters in the novel. Select three of the settings in the novel and:

1) discuss the impact of the setting on the plot development

2) discuss the impact of the setting on the characters

3) the ways that the narrator personifies the setting

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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