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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. Why does Quigley seem to annoy his teachers?
(a) He is always fighting with the other boys.
(b) He cannot read.
(c) His clothes are always dirty.
(d) He is always asking questions.

2. How does the family get coal for Christmas dinner?
(a) Pa Keating takes the boys to a pub where the owner gives them a bag.
(b) Frank takes a temporary job shoveling coal.
(c) Malachy steals coal from the neighbors.
(d) The boys stop and pick up pieces of coal on the side of the road.

3. Why do Philomena, Delia, Mrs. Leibowitz, and Minnie write to Angela's mother?
(a) They want Angela's mother to take care of Frank.
(b) They want Angela's mother to convince Angela to leave Malachy.
(c) They want Angela's mother to send money so that Angela and her family can move back to Ireland.
(d) They want Angela's mother to come to America to visit.

4. Why do the children at school tease Frank and his brother about their boots?
(a) The boots are falling off of them because they are too big.
(b) The boots have holes in them and are falling apart.
(c) Frank's father has mended them using an old tire.
(d) They are wearing girls' boots.

5. Why are Angela and Malachy angry with Frank in Chapter 6?
(a) Frank stole apples from the orchard.
(b) They learned he skipped school.
(c) Frank stole money to go to the cinema.
(d) He was spending time with Paddy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Angela slide into a deep depression?

2. Why is the Meagher family too ashamed to go out?

3. Why does Paddy get into trouble with his mother in Chapter 6?

4. What does Grandma mean when she says that she has "God in me backyard?"

5. When told there is no work in Ireland, Malachy decides to go to Dublin. Why?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Peter Dooley want to read the news on the BBC radio? What do you think of his goals?

2. In Chapter 9, why is the family shamed when no telegram arrives?

3. In Chapter 6, Paddy Clohessy's father has consumption. What does this tell you about their living situation?

4. Describe the scene in town on Fridays in Chapter 3 when work is finished. What is the overall atmosphere? How are Angela's feelings different than those of the other women in town?

5. What is the overall tone of Chapter 1? What events or details indicate that?

6. Why does the man at the IRA office refuse Malachy and his family bus fare home in Chapter 2?

7. In Chapter 7, Frank gets and loses two jobs. Reflect on what this shows about the stability of his life.

8. Describe the circumstances that lead the McCourt family back to Ireland in Chapter 1.

9. In Chapter 7, the McCourt children have begun to mimic their mother's behavior towards Malachy when he comes home drunk. Describe how they act and whether you think Malachy deserves this.

10. Discuss Malachy's attitude towards work in Chapter 3.

(see the answer keys)

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