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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 does Paddy's father tell Frank about his mother in Chapter 6?

2. Why is the family receiving less money at the beginning of Chapter 3?

3. Why does Mr. Downes return to Ireland?

4. What kind of teacher is Mr. Benson?

5. Why does Angela slide into a deep depression?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Grandpa McCourt sends the family money in Chapter 7, and Malachy spends it on alcohol. Why is this particular act more despicable than Malachy's others?

3. What does Grandma's attitude towards first communion and first confession in Chapter 4 tell you about the role of Catholicism in their lives?

4. In Chapter 2, why do you think the officials at the St. Vincent de Paul Society are hesitant to help the McCourts?

5. Describe the effect Margaret's death has on the family in Chapter 1.

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

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

8. Describe why Frank is ridiculed in Chapter 3 by his classmates when coming home from the butcher, and what this says about the children he goes to school with.

9. Compare and contrast the character of Fintain with Frank.

10. How does the reader see Frank's emerging sexuality in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Frank and his father. In many ways, Frank was purposely trying to be as different from Malachy as possible. Was he successful? Why was he trying to differentiate himself to such an extent?

Essay Topic 2

Frank's family leaves America for Ireland at the beginning of the book, but Frank spends most of the book dreaming about going to America. Discuss the irony in this, and the journey required of Frank in order to leave Ireland and go to America.

Essay Topic 3

Frank spends much of the book planning his trip to America, and wondering why his parents had left America to return to Ireland in the first place.

Part 1) Consider the idealism Frank feels towards America. Based on his parents' experiences there and their experiences in Ireland, is his idealistic view of America warranted?

Part 2) Compare and contrast the struggles felt by the McCourts in the beginning of the book with the struggles felt by them once they reach Ireland. Is one place more responsible for their difficulties than another? Cite several examples from the book to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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