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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 long does it take for Columbus to get back to normal?

2. What kind of dog is Rex?

3. What does Aunt Sarah think the burglar will blow into her room?

4. What does Thurber say lasts for two hours?

5. What do Turber's family believe it is dangerous to use during storms?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aunt Grace try to get rid of burglars every evening?

2. How does Buck deal with his father's accusation that he is suffering from delirium?

3. Summarize chapter five.

4. What is Briggs's nervous condition?

5. How does Mother get the neighbor's attention?

6. How does Thurber's mother get overexcited in this chapter?

7. Why does Mother oppose Father sleeping in the attic?

8. How do the family have to start the old REO?

9. Describe how the family erupts into chaos in the first chapter.

10. What does Thurber say about earthquakes in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what way could Thurber's memoirs be described as farce? How despite the farce does Thurber communicate the deep and at time complicated relationships he has with his family?

Essay Topic 2

What is Thurber's father's relationship with his sons? How does Thurber express the complexity of this relationship? How does Thurber's relationship with his father affect him?

Essay Topic 3

How does Thurber represent his family in the book? Does Thurber have any conflicts with his family and if so, how does he express these problems? How does Thurber's family shaped him as a person?

(see the answer keys)

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