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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. In Chapter 12 on work ethics, Miller uses a story about children to illustrate his point. What does he learn about children?

2. Why does Miller refuse to participate in a Bible study group in his church?

3. In Chapter 11, Miller learns a lesson about integrity and describes examples of his actions that are character flaws. After learning this lesson, what does Miller do?

4. Miller writes Chapter 11 without making reference to whom?

5. According to Miller, wise moves will pay off, but what can they not do?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 7, Miller states that his definition of manhood changed over time. How did it change?

2. Miller learns the secret to a successful love relationship from a married friend. According this married friend, what is this secret and what does it look like?

3. MacMurray is a successful photographer, gets up early, and makes long trips to get good shots that often fail. How does he explain his success to Miller?

4. In Chapter 9, Girls, Miller asserts that growing up without a father has left him poorly prepared to be in a relationship. Why is this surprising?

5. Chapter 7 is the last chapter in which Miller talks extensively about his mother. How does his thinking about his mother change from the beginning of this book to this chapter?

6. In Chapter 12, work is defined as honorable and spiritual. What does this mean?

7. In Chapter 11, Miller addresses lessons learned about telling the truth and integrity. What does he do that starts this lesson?

8. In Chapter 11, the author focuses on the importance of reading as a significant skill for success in life. What does he say?

9. In Chapter 9, why does Miller say that he dated?

10. In Chapter 8, Miller states that young men without fathers as role models are more likely to experience negative consequences in life. What evidence does Miller provide to support this statement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Education is another area in a boys life that is impacted by the absence of a father. Miller talks about his educational turning points. Identify the two turning points he describes in Chapter 13. Discuss why they were significant experiences for him.

Essay Topic 2

Miller's writes this memoir about his life as a child raised without a father and the impact this had on his life. However, the role the rest of his family plays in his life is minimally addressed in this book. He refers occasionally to other family members. What do you know about his family when you finish this book? Who does he identify? How does he describe them? What do you believe Miller wants you to believe about his family members? What do you know about his relationship with the family that he does discuss? What techniques does he use to present his family to the reader? Do these techniques work? What do you wish you knew about his family? How would knowing this effect your reaction to this book?

Essay Topic 3

Much of this book is about the author's search for a perfect family and perfect father-son experience to help him learn how be a member of a family. As you finish reading this book, reflect on what does the author suggest are the characteristics of a perfect family. Identify the characteristics that the author identifies throughout the book. Provide supporting evidence from the book. Do you believe there is such a thing as a perfect family? What does today's perfect family look like? How is today's perfect family similar to and different from Miller's ideal family?

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