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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 space flight did Bombeck mention in "Gametime?"

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

3. Per the aspect of decorum, how must a winning contestant act when they win a car?

4. What were Bombeck's friends' opinions on game shows?

5. For how many meals did Bombeck's son claim to have capacity?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Joe Carter's Jubilance and Excitement Seminar," what are some of Bombeck's five aspects of decorum?

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

3. What was the story behind the note in "Warning: Families May Be Dangerous To Your Healthy."

4. Why was Bombeck's son resistant to putting away his clean laundry?

5. Describe "Things My Mother Taught Me" and how it made Bombeck feel.

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

7. For what reasons was Bombeck always self-conscious about using the drive-in at a bank?

8. What prank did Bombeck's husband play on her in "Register Camera Nuts" and how did she react?

9. Discuss Bombeck's analogy of children in "How to Speak Child Fluently."

10. What are some parts of "A Baby's Bill of Rights?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay that details Bombeck's relationship to the media. Discuss her ideas on game shows, magazine articles that raise expectations for working parents, and different trends. Conversely, discuss her ironic reliance on the media to allow her work to be heard.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about "Are You Listening?" Discuss the action of this story, as well as Bombeck's reasoning for sharing her experiences, despite her admittedly less than patient behavior. Discuss this essay by comparing it to different circumstances which showcase Bombeck's admitted fallibility with being a patient person and how she hoped to spread her learned lesson to her readers. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Compose an essay that discusses the evolution of Bombeck's writing using "If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?" Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments. Discuss the changes in the technical aspects of her writing, her subject matter, and how her opinions did or did not change on certain topics throughout the years. Do not focus on these topics exclusively. In this essay, creating an outline to guide your work will be helpful.

(see the answer keys)

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