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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 did Bombeck's child need in order to come home from college in "How to Speak Child Fluently?"

2. In Bombeck's analogy for children, why is their success bittersweet?

3. What did Bombeck cite as being a problem with "The Star Spangled Banner?"

4. What joke did Bombeck's husband once play on her in "Register Camera Nuts?"

5. Where did Bombeck find the dried French fry in "Warning: Families May Be Dangerous To Your Health?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Bombeck's husband humorously skewer the idealization of her analogy in "How to Speak Child Fluently"?

2. What is "Inspector 56?"

3. For what reasons did Bombeck decide that there should be two versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner?"

4. What was Bombeck's plan to get children to eat healthier in "Illegal Possession of Junk Food?"

5. What were Bombeck's beliefs about kissing?

6. In Bombeck's theoretical game show, what would lead to the winning contestant winning a mink coat?

7. What is significant about Bombeck's discovery of false eyelashes in purses from her mother?

8. Describe two parts of Bombeck's vacation laws.

9. What were Bombeck's observations in regards to shopping carts?

10. In "Warning: Families May Be Dangerous To Your Health," what were signs that Bombeck's son was growing up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss aspects of Bombeck's writing techniques in the following format:

Part 1) Exaggeration.

Part 2) Subversion of cliches.

Part 3) Analogies.

Part 4) Nostalgia without the saccharine undertones.

Part 5) Honesty.

Compose a strong thesis and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Bombeck's success as a columnist was directly tied to the time period in which she wrote. Analyze the criticism she faced for her gender and seeming lack of feminism. Develop a clear thesis statement in order to discuss these questions and cite specific examples from the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Compose an essay on Bombeck's observations about the passage of time. Include her feelings on a quickly-moving society, the ephemeral natures of fads, and her beliefs about beauty coming with experience. Relate these ideas back to her outlook on recording her observations with candor and humor. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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