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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 does Deirdre react to Augusten's relationship with Neil Bookman?

2. When Augusten visits the band that Troy works for, what is the band doing when he spies on them?

3. What does Kate give Augusten to study from?

4. In relationship with Dr. Finch, who is Kate?

5. What does Fern Stewart's husband do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in the event leading up to the Burroughs starting marital counseling?

2. How does Dr. Finch treat Augusten and his sexuality?

3. What is Augusten looking forward to doing after his mother leaves for the poetry reading?

4. Why does Dr. Finch believe that he is in communication with God?

5. What does Augusten become obsessed with, relating to his future employment aspirations?

6. How does Augusten get out of school after he is discouraged by another classmate?

7. Why has Natalie moved back home with her parents?

8. What happens in the scene in which Augusten's mother is dressing for the poetry reading?

9. How does Augusten cope with the stress at home?

10. What is "Bible-dipping'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The sexuality of the characters is a huge theme throughout the memoir. Give two examples of inappropriate sexual relationships between adults and children in the memoir. Then explain the way that the Finch family deals with those sexual relationships and the way that these relationships have shaped and scarred the children involved.

Essay Topic 2

At the conclusion of the memoir, many readers will side with Augusten in his belief that the Finch household was a terrible place to grow up, but they were the only stability that he had as a child. Give three examples of times when the Finches proved that they had Augusten's best interests at heart, and explain why the Finches may have been portrayed in a bad light throughout the memoir.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout most of Augusten's life, Dierdre is in tumultuous and unhealthy relationships.

Part 1.) Give examples of three relationships that Deirdre was in during Augusten's childhood and explain why they were unhealthy.

Part 2.) Explain the way that each of these relationships had a larger effect on Augusten's life and perception of love.

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