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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was waiting in the new barn for Father when he returned to the farm?

2. What is the reason for the visit by the individual who goes to see Mother?

3. What is the best description of Nanny and Sammy during Mother's efforts in the aftermath of the arrival at the farm?

4. Where is Father going when he leaves the farm?

5. What characteristic is Sammy trying to show as he speaks to his father in Section 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Father at the beginning of the story to the end of the story. Is he a true villain in the beginning, or is he simply going along with what was expected of men during that time? Do you respect his actions at the end? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The reader learns that the townspeople are gossiping about Mother's actions. Does the author mean this to be symbolism for something else? What is the symbolism behind the women talking about it in their homes and the men discussing it on the roads? What is the symbolism behind the men standing on the road awaiting Father's arrival?

Essay Topic 3

This piece of literature is in the genre of the short story. Do you think the brevity of it adds to the plot? Would you have liked to have seen the plot and characters developed further? Or is the length more than sufficient to prove the point the author is trying to make?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 329 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample