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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. During her tenure at Arlington School in Loundoun County, what illegal operation is nearby?
(a) Sam Reever's bootleg whiskey operation.
(b) A militia's arms room.
(c) Babyface Nelson's secret meeting place.
(d) A money laundering ring.

2. In his first job, for what company does Russell work?
(a) The Curtis Publishing Company.
(b) The Billings Paper Company.
(c) The Rockefeller Foundation.
(d) The Neiman Marcus Group.

3. Where are Russell and his family going for their first family trip?
(a) Newark, to visit Uncle Etch.
(b) Taylorstown, to visit Uncle Miller.
(c) Hoboken, to visit Aunt Sally.
(d) Morrisonville, to visit Ida Rebecca.

4. Why do Oluf and Lucy Elizabeth stop their correspondence?
(a) Lucy Elizabeth finds someone else to court in Newark.
(b) Oluf has no more money for stamps.
(c) Lucy Elizabeth does not love him anymore.
(d) Oluf is in despair and cannot support himself or her family.

5. Why doesn't Uncle Charlie leave the house?
(a) He has a bet with a neighbor.
(b) He has too much work to do.
(c) He looks like Moe Simon.
(d) He loves his family too much.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Russell's mother at the age of eighty?

2. What did Cousin Edwin do for a living?

3. What superstitions does Ida Rebecca believe, but Lucy Elizabeth does not?

4. How much younger than Russell is Doris?

5. What does Lucy do with the present?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the family's long lost fortune.

2. What is ironic about Russell's first appearance in print?

3. Why has Uncle Charlie chosen never to leave the house?

4. Where does the family move after Morrisonville?

5. What is the cause of Benny's death?

6. When does Russell decide to become a writer?

7. How does Lucy Elizabeth meet Benjamin?

8. What remedy does Aunt Pat insist is good for the children, but they find disgusting?

9. What is Lucy Elizabeth's greatest wish for Russell, and how does she help him strive for his goals?

10. Since he is unable to talk with his ailing mother, what does Russell realize about the past?

(see the answer keys)

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