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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. Where was Ken born?

2. At what address does Vance describe his Mamaw's house being in Chapter 7?

3. Who among Vance's mother's love interests does he describe as an alcoholic police officer in Chapter 1?

4. What shopping store does Vance describe as his favorite in Middletown during his childhood?

5. From what post-graduate institution did Vance graduate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Vance describe the events around his mother's suicide attempt in Preble County?

2. How does Vance define the term "hillbilly" in his Prologue?

3. How are the "Blanton men" described in the narrative?

4. What led to the migration of hillbillies from Appalachia to the Rust Belt?

5. What does "family loyalty" mean to Vance?

6. Who officially adopted Vance after his father relinquished parental rights? How did Vance feel about this adoption?

7. Why did Lindsay feel guilting for taking advantage of Papaw after his death?

8. What difficulties does Vance describe that Mamaw and Papaw faced in their marriage in Chapter 3?

9. What actions led to Vance's mother's arrest for abuse, according to the narrative in Chapter 5?

10. Why was Lindsay devastated after meeting with the modeling scout in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What led to the decline of Middletown, Ohio, according to Vance? How did the economic decline of the town manifest in the city parks and recreation areas? What impacts did the decline have on the citizens of Middletown?

Essay Topic 2

What was Mamaw's relationship with organized religion? How did this influence Vance? Who else in Vance's life had influence over his religious explorations and beliefs?

Essay Topic 3

What event led to Vance moving in solely with Mamaw during his teenage years? Why? How did Vance feel about living with Mamaw? How did his life change once he moved in with her?

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