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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 first strikes Jim about the location of his grandparents' home?

2. Who sponsors the dance tent in Black Hawk?

3. What does Jake find under the manger in the barn where Mr. Shimerda's body is found?

4. Who accompanies Jim on his train trip to Nebraska in Chapter 1?

5. Which of the Harling children is Antonia's favorite?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Tiny Soderball's work and living environment

4. What reaction do the Harlings have to Antonia's interest in the dances in the tent?

5. What change in Jim's life occurs in the first chapter of Book 2? How does it affect him?

6. Describe Peter and Pavel

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

8. Describe the relationship between the Shimerdas and Krajiek

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the final book of the novel (Book 5) the author abruptly shifts the narrative forward 20 years. In your essay:

1) describe how the last chapter reads differently than the earlier chapters

2) explain why you think the author made this shift

3) react to her choice. Do you think this was the best way to end the novel? Why?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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