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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 was the house like that Rick's father brought them to when Rick was six years old?

2. What did Margaret expect Rick's father to do after she poured his whiskey down the drain?

3. How did Charles feel about going to Korea to kill soldiers?

4. What happened to Mark in 1965 from which his father saved him?

5. What bet did Uncle Jimbo win for twenty dollars?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the poor black boy bring to Rick's family, and what does Rick think about it now that he is an older man?

2. What does Rick choose to believe about his father's neglect and abuse of his family?

3. How did false pride become an obstacle for Rick as a teenager?

4. What did Rick come to realize at the Fraternity Christmas Party, and how did he feel about it?

5. Why does Rick say that anyone could write this book? Is that true?

6. What did Rick experience at the Protestant Church that he attended when he is young?

7. Why does Rick miss his grandmother's death?

8. What kind of a woman was Rick's grandmother?

9. What was the relationship like between the brothers?

10. What was Margaret's family like growing up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rick protected his mother from the horror stories that he wrote about. What was his motive behind this decision? Was it the right decision? Did he do it for himself ultimately or for her?

Essay Topic 2

After the riots in Miami, Sean kept the rock as did Rick for a while until they couldn't keep it any more. What is the significance of the rock? What made them keep it? What made them get rid of it?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the quote found on page 98: "But what really kills you on that other side are the people--the smiling, care-free people--who can just as easily look over into your side, and turn their face away." Explain it in terms of the memoir and the truism in life.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,024 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample