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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 is Rose Mary living at the time of the Thanksgiving dinner?

2. What is Jeannette's occupation in New York in Part 4?

3. Why do Jeannette's parents express concern over her living arrangement in New York?

4. What does Jeannette do when she decides she needs braces for her teeth?

5. What is the high school guidance counselor's advice for Jeannette?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Rose Mary quit her job, and what is Jeannette's reaction?

2. When Erma dies, how does the Walls family react? How is Rex's reaction different from the rest of the family?

3. What events help form Jeannette's desire to be a professional writer?

4. How does Rex, despite all of his problems, show his devotion to Jeannette during her college years?

5. What happens to the family's money when Jeannette is put in charge of managing it while her mother is gone?

6. Describe Jeannette's reaction when her mother comes to her, begging her and her new husband to buy some property in Texas that abutted her own.

7. How are Brian, Maureen, and Jeannette's ways of coping with their home life differ? What does each of them do?

8. What happens when Jeannette makes an attempt to fix up her family's ramshackle home in West Virginia?

9. What is Jeannette's reaction when a social worker comes to visit the home, and what does she tell her parents about it?

10. Why is Jeannette so interested in going to Ginnie Sue's house? What is her visit like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although life is very difficult in the Walls household, one way that the children cope is through depending on each other. Describe the relationship between the children: Brian, Lori, Jeannette, and Maureen and how they depend on and take care of each other. What roles do each of these children play within the family? Cite specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Life is hard for the Walls family wherever they go. However, in different places it is hard in different ways. Compare their lives in Phoenix, Battle Mountain, and Welch, answering each of the following questions about each location:

1) What are the family's basic living conditions like?

2) What is Rose Mary's emotional condition like and how does it affect the rest of the family?

3) Discuss Rex's emotional condition as well.

Essay Topic 3

Rose Mary's philosophy is that art and freedom are more important than material things. However, she takes this philosophy too far in failing to provide for her children's basic needs. Describe Rose Mary's philosophy of life and parenting. Consider:

1) What is it that makes it so difficult for her to take responsibility?

2) How is she able to justify allowing her children to live in impoverished conditions because of her choices?

3) Recount a few of her actions that demonstrate her philosophy in action.

(see the answer keys)

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