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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. Who turns the crank on the cream separator?

2. What is it about going to town that Eldon likes best?

3. Why does Uncle David say the cows get excited when they are given silage?

4. What was the name of the hero's horse in the western they found?

5. Why does the family sometimes not eat supper until after ten in the summer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happens to Cousin Betty's daughter and where she's found.

2. When does Father take the plow shares in to be sharpened? Why does he do it then, and why does Eldon like to go along?

3. Why is the lake called Jenny's Lake and what does Eldon say about it?

4. What prompts the fight between Eldon and Wayne in the opening paragraphs of "Winter," and what do the boys decide about their argument?

5. Compare Uncle David's side of the room with Nels' side.

6. Describe the time when Wayne and Eldon carved their names into a tree. How did Eldon feel and what happened to the tree?

7. What are some of the sounds Elden describes in the opening chapter?

8. How does Eldon describe the tractor and what does he say about his father being injured by the tractor?

9. What do Wayne and Eldon do after they find the western?

10. What is the first thing Eldon describes doing after the first snow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the positive aspects of each of the seasons Eldon discusses? What are the negative aspects of each of the seasons?

Essay Topic 2

What are the activities that go on in the winter room? Why are these important to each of the characters and to the family as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the farm where Eldon lives with his family. What are the most important settings within the farm? Why?

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This section contains 931 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample