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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. After Newark, where does the family move?

2. When Russell was a young boy, what famous President's time could many of the old men remember (from first-hand accounts)?

3. What did Cousin Edwin do for a living?

4. What musical lessons does Russell begin after a door-to-door salesman visits their house?

5. Which long-lost uncle begins to send Lucy Elizabeth support money?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the family move after Morrisonville?

2. How does Russell learn about the birds and the bees?

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

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

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

6. In Belleville, what does Aunt Pat do to protest the landlady's Herbert Hoover poster?

7. What is Russell's earliest memory?

8. Who is Oluf?

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

10. What is "powwowing"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Russell talks of rough-and-tumble fights, both in Belleville and in Baltimore. What is the difference between the two places? How does Russell fight off bullies in Belleville? How does Russell fight off bullies in Baltimore? Does Russell enjoy fighting or not? What does he learn from both Walter and Pete?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapters 1 and 2, Russell questions the disconnect between parents and children by comparing his children to himself as a child.

1) Do you think such a disconnect exists? Why or why not?

2) Explain your answer using examples from the text.

3) What did Russell learn about his parents later in life? How could the new information help inform his writing process?

Essay Topic 3

Create a character profile of Mimi. Include:

1) What is her background?

2) How does she meet Russell?

3) Why do she and Russell have such a turbulent relationship?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 619 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample