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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. Who is missing from the kitchen on Sunday evening in Chapter 15?

2. Why is Katrin fired from her job?

3. What adult drink does Papa let Katrin have at the end of Chapter 10?

4. What does Aunt Jenny bring Mama when she comes home from the hospital?

5. How is Mama able to afford the graduation gift?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Papa pretend to be lazy about his household chores?

2. Why is Katrin upset when she learns how Mama has paid for her graduation present?

3. Why does Peder marry a woman from Oslo instead of Elna?

4. Why does Katrin get fired from her job?

5. What does Mama buy with her coat money?

6. How does Mama help Aunt Elna and Aunt Jenny?

7. Why does Mrs. Beauchamp handle Dr. Beauchamp's accounting needs?

8. Why does Nels break up with Cora?

9. What does Katrin enjoy her job at the drugstore?

10. Why do the aunts and uncles come over when Papa goes to the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of savings accounts and banks are important throughout the book. Although the book is called "Mama's Bank Account" the family rarely mentions either account. Compare and contrast Mama's Bank Account and The Little Bank and explain why the author does not mention the accounts very much, but chooses to title the book after one of them.

Essay Topic 2

Nels, Dagmar, and Katrin each have passions. Whether it be medicine, writing, or animals, Mama always supports these passions. Explain how Mama allowed each to grow their passions throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Uncle Chris is a man who is disliked by much of his family for his strict and mean-hearted ways. When Uncle Chris passes, the family realizes that he may not have been as evil as they all thought. How was Uncle Chris' story ironic, and would the family have had different feelings towards him if they would have known the truth about him when he was alive?

(see the answer keys)

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