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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. Why has Uncle Charlie returned to Belleville?

2. What worries Russell about working in the grocery or on the railroad?

3. What does Russell list as his ambition in his high school yearbook?

4. What does Russell discover he will always do in regards to Mimi?

5. What does Lucy say upon Russell's acceptance to college?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Mary Leslie?

2. What does Lucy purchase for Russell as a mark of adolescence?

3. What incident happens early one morning as Russell delivers his papers?

4. What school accepts Russell?

5. Why is Russell sent to the principle's office at his new school?

6. Why doesn't Lucy approve of Mimi?

7. After Belleville, where does the family move?

8. In 1939, who does Lucy begin dating?

9. How successful is Hal's lumber company?

10. What happens on Russell and Mimi's date to Washington?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For most of Russell's life, Lucy has been his ultimate teacher. What happened to their relationship when he begins to surpass her education? Examine the subtleties between mother and son, including the Latin translation incident. What is young Russell trying to prove to his mother? Does Lucy recognize Russell's behavior? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Lucy's obsession with "a home of our own." Is this her ultimate goal? How does she work toward this goal? Choose three instances from the text to illustrate Lucy's desire for a home of their own. How does she finally achieve this goal? How does her achievement affect Russell's life?

Essay Topic 3

Reexamine Chapter 3. Lucy comes of age in a turbulent time. Between what two personal and political ideas is she torn? How does this split manifest itself in her life, according to Russell's account? Provide at least three examples from the text. How has her upbringing contributed to these views?

(see the answer keys)

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