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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 is Russell angry with Herb?

2. Why is Jim a poor flight instructor?

3. What class in school does Russell hate the most?

4. To what activity does everyone compare piloting a plane?

5. In what areas is Russell's knowledge extremely limited?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Russell remember Uncle Harold?

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

3. Why doesn't Lucy approve of Mimi?

4. After Belleville, where does the family move?

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

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

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

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

9. Who is Mary Leslie?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part of growing up is testing boundaries. How does Russell begin to test his boundaries with Lucy? How old is he? How old is she? Even as a child, how much does Russell understand about being punished by Lucy? Why does she decide to punish him in such a way? Who is more upset by Russell's punishments--Russell or Lucy? Why does Russell refuse to cry? Use these leading questions to create a profile of young Russell, battling against Lucy's determination that he will make something of himself.

Essay Topic 2

Russell and Doris spend much of their childhood with Uncle Allen and Aunt Pat. Why does the family move in with them? Are they happy to have their relatives come? Why or why not? Why does Russell view them as an odd couple? What does Russell learn from Aunt Pat and Uncle Allen? What does Russell learn from Uncle Charlie and Uncle Hal?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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