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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 is a 'painter' as mentioned in the Book of William?

2. When Abigail was a child, who slept in the great tester bed in the south bedroom?

3. How old is William when he thinks that he is old?

4. What does Abigail do immediately before watering?

5. What looks like a choppy sea to Abigail?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the November evening so quiet and final?

2. What caused the "ugly smears" in the sky in October in the first section?

3. What is the appearance of the front yard in the first section/chapter?

4. Describe the Howland tomb and its eventual use.

5. How is the content of "The Keepers of the House" organized?

6. In the first Book of Abigail, what does Abigail remember of being a child in this house?

7. What is Abigail's reasoning for watering the geraniums so late in the season?

8. What delays William's trip into the swamp to find the Robertson's liquor still?

9. What has survived the frost in the first section to Abigail's surprise and how?

10. What are Abigail's younger children doing as she stands on the porch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the effects of the Depression on the Howland family.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss William's excitement at the "game" of finding a still in the swamp. Why would this bring about a change in his behavior?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss ways that this book may be view as dated. Be certain to address belief systems and attitudes. Is there anything that still rings true today?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 656 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample