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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 do Grandpa and Uncle Stanley react to Erma?

2. Where do the children go to shower after there is no longer any bathroom in their house?

3. What does Jeannette expect her new grandparents to be like?

4. What happens to the money that Lori and Jeannette have been saving?

5. What is Brian's occupation in Part 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the incident between the children and Erma, what does Jeannette begin to wonder about her father?

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

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

4. What plans do Lori and Jeannette begin to make for themselves at the end of Part 3?

5. What potentially dangerous situation does Rex put Jeannette in while her mother is out of town for training?

6. How does the condition of the Walls family home worsen during the spring in Welch?

7. Why does Jeannette enjoy swimming with Dinitia more than going to the pool during the other swim sessions when the rest of the white children in Welch swim?

8. How does Rose Mary view her and Rex's living situation in New York? How do the other members of the family see things differently?

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

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Walls siblings all find different ways to deal with their difficult circumstances. Compare and contrast the responses of Lori, Maureen, Brian, and Jeannette to the stresses of living without resources.

1) How does each of the children deal with their problems emotionally?

2) How do some, if any, of the children work together to relieve some of their misery?

3) What does each of the children do to try to get what they need?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The relationship between the author and her parents is a very complex one. She is both fond of them and attempts to understand their behavior, and is shocked that they are able to be so childish and neglectful in providing for even the very basic needs of the children. Discuss this relationship with consideration to the following questions:

1) Discuss examples of the neglectful behavior described in the book. How are the parents negligent and how are the children able to get by in spite of this?

2) Relate examples of the positive experiences that the author has with each of her parents, and what she considers to be some of their positive characteristics.

(see the answer keys)

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