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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. How many people did Bombeck cite as being necessary for driving a shopping cart?

2. How did Bombeck sarcastically refer to the restaurant they walked into in "The Right to Declare War?"

3. In "Constitutionality of Drive-in Windows," which of the following is not one of the places Bombeck listed as examples of when to use a drive-through window?

4. According to Bombeck, what was notable about using a shopping cart?

5. Why would Bombeck have felt self-conscious during "Constitutionality of Drive-in Windows?"

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is "Inspector 56?"

4. What were Bombeck's beliefs about kissing?

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

6. What impressed Bombeck most about the women on game shows?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compose an essay discussing Bombeck's reliance on her humor to understand and comfort herself through different periods in her life. Focus on how it is related to her self-characterization as a perpetually confused naif, her children growing up, and her relationship to her readers. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Bombeck's stance on holding respect for others in the following format:

Part 1) Respect between parents and children.

Part 2) A Baby's Bill of Rights.

Part 3) The artificiality of the media.

Part 4) The woman on the airplane in "Are You Listening?"

Part 5) Her relationships with her children, husband, and mother.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the subtle subversions in Bombeck's writing. Points to consider include her subjects, the time in which she wrote these essays, and her handling of serious matters in a light-hearted manner. Also, analyze how these attitudes are reflected in her children as they grow up and how her messages were affected by her success and national syndication. Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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