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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 reason does Mother give Father for needing improvements on the farm?

2. After Father goes back into the field to work following their discussion about the state of the house and barn, what does Mother do?

3. What does Mother ask Sammy when she goes back into the house after learning the reason for the digging?

4. What, specifically, does Mother do all day in Section 2?

5. How does Father respond to Mother's delay in returning to the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Toward the end of her confrontation with Father, what does Mother say in anger to try to convince Father that he is wrong to build a barn?

2. What is the minister's reaction to his conversation with Mother?

3. How are Nanny and Sammy feeling as their father returns from his trip?

4. Describe Mother's attitude and what she does after Father leaves on the trip.

5. What happens at the end of the story to let the reader know the conclusion?

6. After Father's conversation with Sammy about Mother, what occurs with regard to the barn and Father's plans for it?

7. What occurs with the townspeople the day after the move?

8. What occurs after the minister leaves?

9. What does each of the family members do after Father comes in from his work?

10. What is the scene on the farm as Father returns from his trip?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many elements of conflict used throughout the story. Choose one of the following conflicts, and write an essay about how that conflict adds to the understanding of the plot of the story:

1) Conflict between Mother and Father

2) Conflict between Mother and Sammy

3) Conflict between Mother and the minister

4) Conflict between Father and Sammy

5) Conflict between Mother and the townspeople gossiping about what she did

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about tone used in the story as Mother is characterized. Mother is portrayed using sarcasm, anger, and submission. Does the author do an adequate job of developing these different tones of Mother's voice? Or does Mother appear to be erratic as she moves from one attitude to another so many times throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

When Father says that he didn't know how strongly Mother felt about the house, the reader senses irony. Is that truly an example of irony? Or was Father using that as an excuse? It seems incomprehensible that Father would not know how she feels, but perhaps that is an indication that he really didn't respect what she has to say. Explain your thoughts regarding this scene and the use of irony.

(see the answer keys)

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