1 In whose point of view does the story begin? The wind's The baby's Paul's Ellen's 2 When does Ellen light the lamp? Around midnight Just before noon Just after noon None of these 3 What covers the baby's crib? Muslin Linen Nylon Nothing 4 What does Ellen worry will happen if she takes the baby out of the crib? He'll die suddenly He'll catch pneumonia He'll sneeze None of these 5 What gathers on the dishes? A film of dust Rain leaking in Bacteria None of these 6 How many days of dust storms have there been at the point the story begins? It's the first Four Three None of these 7 What happens to Ellen's eyes after she stares out the window? They are stuck open They won't open They won't stop watering None of these 8 Why does Ellen light the lamp? She is going blind She is cold Airborne dust blocks sunlight None of these 9 What is Ellen cooking for lunch ("dinner" in the story)? Bacon Mashed potatoes Eggs None of these 10 How does the narrator personify the two types of wind Ellen hears? The wind in flight and the wind that pursued The wind who was scared and the wind that comforts The wind who is feeble and the wind who is strong None of these 11 What are eaves? A type of retro chair A style of bangs The part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building None of these 12 What does Ellen immediately do when Paul comes in the house the first time? Begins yelling at him Rushes to the stove Runs to his arms None of these 13 What does Paul say when he sees the lamp is lit? He had to light his lantern in the tool shed as well Why doesn't she just use a flashlight It's a waste of kerosene None of these 14 Why does Ellen wipe the table and dishes again? More dust has settled on them Too much rain water has come in She has obsessive-compulsive disorder None of these 15 When Ellen says the dust collects faster than she can keep up with it, what does Paul say? The dust storm will go down tonight It's her job to deal with dust It's much worse for him out on the farm None of these 16 Why is Ellen tense when Paul first comes in the house? They quarrelled that morning and the day before She worries he is tracking in more dust She is aroused None of these 17 After mashing potatoes in silence, what does Ellen finally admit to Paul? She can't stand life on the farm any longer Their baby is dead She doesn't love him anymore None of these 18 What reason does Paul give for not leaving the farm? He hates living in cities because he'll just drink and gamble He says the dry years will end and the farm will become profitable He hates Ellen's family in town None of these 19 What does Ellen compare the farm to? A rocky slope The bottom of a lake A fertile valley A desert 20 What crop has Paul been trying to farm? Potatoes Lettuces Prairie grass Wheat 21 What work waits for Paul if they do go to town? Driving a bus Plumbing Sweeping out Ellen's father's store None of these 22 Where does Paul tell Ellen he belongs? In his tool shed In town On the farm None of these 23 When Paul says it would be charity to take a job from her father, why does Ellen accuse him of hypocrisy? It's honest work, not charity The farm is sustained on government assistance and debts Her father needs the help because business is booming None of these 24 Paul believes Ellen wants to return to town for what reason? She is genuinely concerned about their baby's future She selfishly wants nice things like she's used to She wants to humiliate Paul None of these 25 Why does Ellen think it isn't just "the dry years" that they have to worry about? Paul's social isolation is turning him into an unlovable person She doesn't want to be the mother of a farmer A lack of root fibers means the soil is blowing away None of these
