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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 city did Charlie regularly think of while listening to the opera?

2. How did Mary know that Lecia had been attacked by a jellyfish even though her sister was still in the water?

3. What type of plant did Grandma Moore grow on her farm in West Texas?

4. What physical reaction did Mary have when her grandmother was around that was her first feeling of "nervousness"?

5. Which of the following animals did NOT flood into the street after the hurricane?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Mary find out that her family was moving, yet again, from Colorado?

2. What led up to the fight between Charlie and Pete on Mary's tenth birthday?

3. What did Pete witness of the hurricane when he refused to evacuate to Lubbock with his family?

4. How did Lecia react when her mother threatened to shoot Hector in front of her?

5. How did music affect Charlie's mood during her depression?

6. How did Mary feel after her mother served her her first alcoholic beverage?

7. Who was Purdy?

8. How did the Karr family react when Lecia was attacked by the jellyfish at the beach?

9. What happened when the Karr family left the Bridge Cafe soon after Mary's birthday?

10. After leaving the hospital, how did Charlie react when visiting the Houston Zoo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Charlie's family history is one looming in shadow, as she is a woman who has kept many dark secrets. Choose two of Charlie's dark secrets that she keeps hidden in her past and explain them. Then, describe how Mary learned her mother's dark secrets. What were her reactions to these secrets? Then, explain how Charlie's dark secrets affected Mary and the way she was able to bond, and trust, her own family members, both in childhood and adulthood.

Essay Topic 2

Around Mary's tenth birthday, Pete and Charlie begin to struggle for power in their relationship, a conflict that comes out in various ways in the relationship. First, explain how Pete attempts to exert his power in the relationship and compare / contrast that to the way Charlie attempts to exert her power in the relationship. What is the same about their struggles for power? What is different? What is the effect of this power struggle on the maturity of the children in the house? Be sure to include at least two scenes from the memoir to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout her time working at and owning the bar, Charlie meets and introduces her daughters to various men. First, describe Gordon, and man who becomes increasingly important in Charlie's life after she buys the bar. Then, compare / contrast Gordon's involvement with the family to Joey's involvement with the family. How do these men take on roles of responsibility within the Karr home. What benefit does Mary receive from having this revolving door of men in her life? What danger is she put in? In the end, is the introduction of these men more of a positive or negative experience in Mary's life? How can you tell?

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