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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 does Alexandra say made her grandfather crooked?

2. What does Amedee complain about while talking to Emil before he moves to Omaha?

3. When does Alexandra think of her fantasy?

4. Where was Emil shot?

5. Whom does Emil say Marie could love?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Alexandra feel safe marrying Carl?

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

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

4. What does Marie do when she hears about Amedee's pain?

5. What does Frank think about as he leaves his farm after finding Marie and Emil together?

6. What does Alexandra give Marie as she leaves the visit with Mrs. Lee?

7. How does Alexandra describe her personal life?

8. What caused Amedee's pain and how serious was it?

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

10. What is Alexandra's fantasy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despair was a theme that was placed in a number of sensitive places in this plot. What are some of these places, and what role did despair play in this book?

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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