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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 cite as something that should never be considered "an act of war?"

2. What impressed Bombeck most about contestant's knowledge?

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

4. Why would Bombeck's theoretical winning contestant have been disqualified from the coat?

5. Who did Bombeck claim to have discovered as her clothing designer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is "Inspector 56?"

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

3. What are some of the fashions Bombeck discusses in "Fashions and Fads that Underwhelmed Me"?

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

5. How did Bombeck sum up her theories on the future of game show contestants in her theoretical game show?

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

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

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

9. What were Bombeck's beliefs about kissing?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using the themes of survival and worry (as discussed in "White Socks in a Pantyhose World), discuss Bombeck's outlook on life and society. Consider how she utilized these themes in her writing and how she handled her feelings of hysteria when feeling out-of-place in the world. Focus as well on the role of her children when considering the latter. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

How did Bombeck's writing blend together different genres? Discuss this question by analyzing the different genres in which she delves for her writing. Be sure to use examples from essays spanning through several years of her career while being guided by a strong thesis statement.

(see the answer keys)

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