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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 high school group rejects Russell, despite his good grades?

2. What does Lucy call his new love?

3. Of what religious persuasion is the matron at the orphanage?

4. What does Mr. Simmons do from the hole in the cellar ceiling?

5. With whom has Doris sometimes stayed during the summers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Russell's writing success in Mr. Fleagle's class?

2. Explain Mimi's childhood.

3. After failing one flight examination, how does Russell pass the next one with "Total Loss" Smith?

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

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

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

7. Who is Mary Leslie?

8. What school accepts Russell?

9. In 1939, who does Lucy begin dating?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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.

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This section contains 603 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample