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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 superstitions does Ida Rebecca believe, but Lucy Elizabeth does not?

2. Why were Lucy and Benjamin in a hurry to get married?

3. As part of Morrisonville's ritual for death, what do the women do at Russell's house?

4. Who doesn't Uncle Hal get along with in the house?

5. In his first job, for what company does Russell work?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is Aunt Pat and why is Russell fond of her?

3. How does Lucy Elizabeth meet Benjamin?

4. What ghost did Ida Rebecca once claim to see?

5. When does Russell decide to become a writer?

6. What does Uncle Edwin do for a living?

7. Explain the family's long lost fortune.

8. How does the author describe his mother's attitude toward men?

9. How does Lucy punish Russell when he misbehaves?

10. What is "powwowing"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reexamine Chapter 9. How could the Dickens quote "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" be applicable to the family's life? Be sure to think about:

1) Money

2) Home

3) Happiness

4) Work

Essay Topic 2

Though the novel is written by Russell, Lucy plays a huge role throughout the work. Who do you think is the novel's main character, Russell or Lucy? Be sure to examine the story's plot and style before coming to a decision. Be prepared to support your answer with textually based arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Much of the work is centered around Russell's education, both formal and informal. Write an essay highlighting what you feel are the three most important things that Russell learned to help him into adulthood and shaped him as a person. Be sure to use properly cited quotations from the text, and present your argument in paragraph form.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample