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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 do Natalie and Augusten secure their first live performance?

2. Who complained about the presence of the Christmas tree in Augusten's memory?

3. What does Natalie say that she would like to study at Smith College?

4. Which character suffers from Alzheimer's and is admitted into a home?

5. Where does Natalie get her first job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Brenda comes to visit the Finch family?

2. What are the consequences of Deirdre taking Cesar home with her from the mental hospital?

3. What disturbing behavior does Augusten witness from his mother during their stay in Rhode Island?

4. Why do the Finch family still have a Christmas tree in May?

5. What happens when Natalie loses her earrings in the hotel?

6. What significant event happens during Natalie and Augusten's first live performance at the mental health hospital?

7. What does Augusten witness on the last night before Deirdre is taken away by the police?

8. What does Natalie inform Augusten of while they are whale watching, and how does she prove her point?

9. What happens to the rest of the Finch family in the epilogue?

10. What happens after Augusten becomes smitten with the boy from the convenience store?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many times throughout his life that Augusten feels very alone and sought out someone to confess his emotions to.

Part 1.) Create a list of three examples in which Augusten felt alone and depressed.

Part 2.) Explain who Augusten typically chose to confess his feelings of loneliness to.

Part 3.) Explain the way that emotions and confessions shaped the relationship that Augusten had with at least one other character in the memoir.

Essay Topic 2

Another theme that is very prevalent in the memoir is one of normalcy versus absurdity. Explain what Augusten thought was normal, and give an example of a time that he strove to be normal, fighting against his absurd surroundings. What was the outcome of Augusten's fight for normalcy in that situation?

Essay Topic 3

All through his life, Augusten wanted to be famous.

Part 1.) Give three examples in which Augusten showed his desire for celebrity.

Part 2.) Now that Augusten actually is famous, explain how Augusten treats his family.

Part 3.) Hypothesize on whether or not fame and celebrity is what Augusten was hoping for when he was a child.

(see the answer keys)

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