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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 Christmas present does Russell accidentally discover?

2. What does Russell actually do when he receives his present on Christmas?

3. What branch of the military does Russell apply for?

4. Russell is shocked when Lucy decides to marry who?

5. What bully beats Russell up at his new school in Baltimore?

Short Essay Questions

1. What part of adult life is Russell missing, according to his assessment of his friends?

2. In 1939, who does Lucy begin dating?

3. What are Russell and Lucy's letters back and forth about?

4. Why doesn't Lucy approve of Mimi?

5. When Germany surrenders, where is Russell sent to await orders?

6. What is the first Civil Rights demonstration Russell sees in his life?

7. How does Russell remember Uncle Harold?

8. How do Russell and George view Mimi?

9. How does Charlie Sussman help Russell go to college?

10. What is odd about the family's new Baltimore home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Russell's relationship with Mimi. How did the two meet? When does Russell fall in love with her? Is he clear about when she falls in love with him? What is the central problem in their relationship? Discuss both sides of the "marriage argument:" why won't Russell marry her? How much influence does Lucy have over his opinions about marriage? What is the end result?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the juxtaposition between Russell and Lucy's letters while he is based in Pensacola.

1) What do the two talk about in the letters?

2) What world events are taking place around them?

3) What is Russell's main focus at this time?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 533 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample