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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. What famous wedding is the Finch family watching on the television?

2. What drug do Natalie and Augusten do before they set out looking for jobs?

3. What emotion does Augusten feel after he sees the boy reading his note?

4. What is Augusten's reaction to Neil Bookman's disappearance?

5. From whom do Natalie and Augusten get more money to see a movie after their own cash has run out?

Short Essay Questions

1. What messages does Hope claim to be receiving from the cat through her dreams?

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

3. What does Augusten do after he realizes that Neil Bookman has disappeared?

4. How do Natalie and Augusten get on at college?

5. What does Augusten realize about the places that he has lived in relationship to his hopes and dreams for the future?

6. Who is Cesar Mendoza and what does he look like?

7. What does Augusten remember about the Christmas tree that his mother brought home when Augusten was 10?

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

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

10. What does Augusten explain has happened to Dr. Finch and Deirdre in the epilogue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many characters in the memoir battle with debilitating obsessions. Create a list of three characters that deal with various obsessions throughout the course of the memoir. Compare and contrast the way that their obsessions have affected their lives. Finally, explain the way that each of these characters attempted to battle their obsessive tendencies.

Essay Topic 2

The story is ultimately Augusten Burroughs' account of his childhood. Compare / contrast the boy that Augusten is in the beginning of the novel with the man that he is in the end and give one example of a scene that irrevocably changed the course of Augusten Burroughs' life.

Essay Topic 3

The medical practices of Dr. Finch are called into question numerous times throughout the course of the memoir.

Part 1.) Give three examples of times when Dr. Finch's medical practices were questionable.

Part 2.) Explain what you believe to be Dr. Finch's mentality behind those medical practices.

Part 3.) Weigh in on whether or not you believe Dr. Finch's medical practices were ethical, and explain why.

(see the answer keys)

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