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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. What do Betsy and Josephine tell Phillip about their father's dress and appearance at these clubs?
(a) He is no longer concerned with his looks.
(b) He forgets to tuck his shirt in sometimes.
(c) He still dresses with care and elegance.
(d) He has become sloppy in his appearance.

2. What gift does Phillip give to Clara a week before her birthday?
(a) "Scrooge" by Charles Dickens.
(b) "A Christmas Story" by James Agee.
(c) "A Garland of Chirstmas Verse" by S.C. Mayle.
(d) "A Christmas Tale" by Henry James.

3. Who does Betsy begin dating after her debutant ball?
(a) Lewis Shackleford.
(b) Alex Mercer.
(c) Wyant Brawly.
(d) Clarkson Manning.

4. What is the consequence for Mr. Carver's mistake that night which is witnessed by Betsy and Joesphine?
(a) Mr. Carver is arrested by the police.
(b) Mr. Carver is fined two hundred dollars.
(c) Mr. Carver is kicked out of the bar.
(d) Mr. Carver is taken away in an ambulance.

5. What is Mother's reaction to Phillip's declaration that moving to Memphis has ruined his life?
(a) She screams at him.
(b) She cries.
(c) She lectures him.
(d) She laughs.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year does the relationship between Clara and Phillip end?

2. What city is described as a "land oriented" city?

3. Holly Kaplan is a Jewish woman from what city?

4. Who is Howard's father?

5. Who does Phillip believe his sister Betsy is going to the bars with while watching her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 2, Phillip tells of the end of Betsy and Wyant's relationship. What incident causes the beginning of the end of the relationship? How does Betsy react to her father? How does Wyant react? What is father's objection and how does he present this to Betsy?

2. Alex Mercer is Phillip's closest friend in Memphis and he corresponds regularly with Phillip in Manhattan concerning Mr. Carver. In Chapter 3, Phillip discusses Alex's position and concerns about Mr. Carver's new status as a widower and subsequent dating. What are these concerns? Why does Alex worry so much about how Betsy and Josephine will react to their father's dating some of the women in town? How does he look upon the middle aged daughters of his friend and their behavior about town concerning their father?

3. In Chapter 6, Betsy describes one evening at the Blue Moon when Mr. Carver arrives with a group of six people all of whom are much younger than he. What happens that evening to Mr. Carver?

4. At the end of Chapter 1, Phillip gives a detailed explanation of how the family's move to Memphis affected every member of the family. Who appears to have handled the transition the best? For whom was it the hardest? Discuss the impact on each of the four children and Mr. and Mrs. Carver.

5. In Chapter 1, the narrator begins the story with an explanation of the perils of a widower with middle-aged children,dating. What is the major issue faced by the widower? What examples of this situation does the narrator provide?

6. In Chapter 3, Phillip talks at length about what his sisters have done for both himself and his brother, Georgie. What have they done for their brothers to help them in their lives? What have they potentially sacrificed by helping their brothers in this way? How do the two women continue to take care of their father after the boys leave home?

7. Phillip visits Alex in Paris during the war in Chapter 5. Describe their time together in Paris. What happens to them on the Rue de Rivoli one afternoon?

8. In Chapter 5, Phillip leaves his father's home and moves to New York City. How does he manage this? Why does he choose New York? How does his family react?

9. In Chapter 2, Phillip gives a detailed account of the traveling party on their way from Nashville to Memphis. Who went to Memphis that day? How many cars were in the caravan? Who did Betsy drive with to Memphis and why? What people outside of the immediate family moved to Memphis? Why did Father arrange for everyone in the caravan to move together?

10. In Chapter 5, Phillip reminisces on his failed engagement. What happens between Phillip and Clara Price? Compare his experience with that of his sisters.

(see the answer keys)

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