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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what does Lessing compare guilt?
(a) An iceberg.
(b) A nagging woman.
(c) A festering sore.
(d) An elephant in the room.

2. In Chapter 11, where did Lessing work?
(a) Lessing transcribed notes for a local newspaper.
(b) Lessing worked as an au pair for the Smith family.
(c) Lessing worked part-time at several lawyers' firms.
(d) Lessing worked at the Telephone Exchange.

3. At which establishment was Frank known as "one of the boys"?
(a) The Yacht Club.
(b) The local bar.
(c) The Sports Club.
(d) The Left Book Club.

4. What does Lessing mention as the one thing that would have stopped her from marrying Frank?
(a) Her mother's support.
(b) Her mother's opposition to the marriage.
(c) Her father's admonition against making that mistake.
(d) Her father's support.

5. In Chapter 19, what was the white population of Salisbury?
(a) 100,000.
(b) 10,000.
(c) 1,000.
(d) 1,500.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Frank and Lessing go on their honeymoon?

2. What does Lessing describe as another form of intoxication aside from alcohol?

3. When did Lessing and Frank decide to have another child?

4. What did Lessing's father assume when she and Frank showed up at the family farm?

5. Why did Lessing remain on the farm when her father was taken to the hospital in Salisbury?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lessing's relationship with Ivy.

2. In Chapter 13, how did Lessing rationalize her decision to leave Frank and their two children?

3. Discuss Lessing's mini-vacation to Capetown.

4. How did Lessing support herself when she no longer lived with her parents?

5. How did Lessing respond to increasing unhappiness with her marital and home situation?

6. Describe Lessing's entrance into love and romance as she describes it in Chapter 10.

7. How did John react to the birth of his little sister?

8. In Chapter 12, how does Lessing describe her first son, John?

9. Why did Lessing direct her focus on the Communist ideas that she was developing in this chapter instead of focusing on the events of her life?

10. What became of the three husbands who enlisted to fight Hitler?

(see the answer keys)

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