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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. Where does Phil request to go for his weekend break, even though doctors are concerned and Kay would have been had she seen the suicidal writings of Phil?

2. Who is the star reporter that Bradlee hires from the New York Times, helping to rejuvenate the Post?

3. Ben Bradlee's standing orders to the staff during the Watergate scandal is to push relentlessly for the ____________.

4. What is the category under which the paper wins the Pulitzer Prize for the work on the DNC break in?

5. Beebe dies of ______ the day after listening to Nixon's speech and giving a last hurrah from his hospital bed.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of the cruise that Mother takes Kay on during this part of Kay's memoir?

2. How might one describe Kay's relationship to Sweeterman during her position at the Post?

3. How does Kay feel that some of her feelings of inferiority have been bred into her generation of women?

4. What does Phil do in order to pay for the purchase of the news magazine for business people?

5. Why does Kay feel it is her job to keep in touch with U.S. officials in and out of office?

6. What does Kay look forward to when John Prescott comes in to take the place of Ignatius?

7. What action does Phil take that Kay is not completely convinced is a good idea?

8. What happens when there are union negotiations taking place at the Post?

9. What happens as the result of Kay being conditioned to deal only with important people?

10. What is the world's reaction to Watergate during this time, as it's only just begun to unfold?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Watergate Scandal rocked the Washington Post when the reporters uncovered the truth about what happened.

Part 1: Why do you think that the scandal was such an important event of its time?

Part 2: How would you rate Kay's effectiveness as a leader during this time at the paper?

Part 3: Why do you think that Kay was so stubborn in the choices she made during this time?

Essay Topic 2

In writing a memoir, Kay is faced with the events of her life and realizes she could have handled things much differently than she did.

Part 1: Why do you think that Kay decided to write the memoir in the first place?

Part 2: Do you think that anyone ever lives a life without any regrets? Why or why not?

Part 3: What regrets do you have and how have you managed to deal with the feeling of regret?

Essay Topic 3

While there is rampant sexism in the times of the book, Kay's mother seems to carve out her own path, regardless of any boundaries before her.

Part 1: Why do you think that Kay's mother was able to have such an enriching and varied life?

Part 2: Why do you think that Agnes' passion for life and learning couldn't have been incorporated into how she raised her children?

Part 3: What does this say about Kay's mother that she focused more on the outside world than on her family?

(see the answer keys)

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