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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. In Chapter 7, what does Malachy make his children promise when he gets them out of bed late at night after drinking?

2. Who is Frank excited to see when he is hospitalized the second time?

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

4. What is unusual about Mr. O'Halloran?

5. Why does young Malachy have to visit Barrington's Hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. Frank is hospitalized again in Chapter 9. What might this tell you about his overall health, and what might be the cause of it?

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

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. Describe Paddy Clohessy's life as seen in Chapter 4. Do you think he is better or worse off than Frank?

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

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

7. Why does Frank feel sorry for the Spellacies in Chapter 7?

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

9. What does Frank miss most about the hospital when he arrives home in Chapter 8? Would you feel the same way?

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on what you have read in the book, compare and contrast the roles of women and men in Ireland during the Great Depression.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Frank McCourt uses humor to help entertain the reader in "Angela's Ashes." Describe, in details, the ways in which McCourt uses humorous anecdotes and comical stories to lighten up an otherwise very serious memoir.

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