View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT something Charlie burned in a bonfire during her mental breakdown?

2. What did Mary ask for for dinner on her tenth birthday?

3. How old was Mary the first time she was sexually assaulted by the neighbor boy?

4. What part of his body did Pete claim his father broke before his death?

5. What beverage did Grandma Moore drink to dull her cancerous pain?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Grandma Moore treat Cousin Dotty in comparison to the way she treated Charlie?

3. What event led to Mary swearing that she would never step foot in Charlie's bar again?

4. What happened during the playground fight between Mary and Rickey Carter?

5. How did Mary choose to spend the Green Stamps she collected from the grocery store?

6. What was the effect of the many years of hard drinking on Pete's body?

7. Why did Mary begin to compulsively check the mailbox after Father's Day?

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

9. How did both Charlie and Pete deliver the news to their daughters that they were getting a divorce?

10. What behaviors did Grandma Moore witness in the Karr girls as children that deeply disturbed her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Books become an important method of escape for Mary during her violent and troubled childhood. One book in particular, Dracula, is especially important to her. First, describe how Mary was first introduced to the book, Dracula. Then, give examples of at least two scenes in the memoir in which Mary uses metaphors from the book to explain her psychology. Finally, explain whether or not you believe the book Dracula is a good metaphor for Mary's life and why. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your argument.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

After the divorce, Mary and Lecia adopt very different coping mechanisms to deal with their emotional disappointment in their parents. First, describe Mary's emotional coping method while dealing with abandonment issues from her father. Then, compare / contrast that to Lecia's coping method while dealing with abandonment issues from her father. What is the same about their coping methods? What is different? How do these two coping methods come to a head on Father's Day? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,427 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample