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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. Whom did Alexandra write to after Emil's murder?

2. What do people call the area in the winter?

3. What does Alexandra do after the deaths of Marie and Emil?

4. Who tells Alexandra that Lous and Oscar are talking to Carl?

5. What is the name of Alexandra's personal servant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Amedee when Emil is about to leave for Omaha?

2. What happened when Emil and Marie were shot?

3. What is Alexandra's fantasy?

4. Why did Carl never respond to Alexandra's letter to him?

5. Why does Alexandra feel safe marrying Carl?

6. How did Ivar find out about the murders?

7. What does Frank say to Alexandra when she comes to see him in prison?

8. What does Alexandra say to Carl when he explains why he is going away?

9. Whom does Alexandra say are her only friends?

10. What does Alexandra want for Emil when he leaves after the festival, and why does she see this as impossible at the moment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many different characters in this book were persuaded to do things that they would not have done of their own accord? What are some of these instances, and how did persuasion affect the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 2

The characters in this novel all had their own goals and motivations. Select four characters and write their main motivation throughout the book and how this goal affected the characters around them.

Essay Topic 3

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Willa Cather have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

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