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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter Eight.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Lessing refuse to have on her bed at night?
(a) A kaross.
(b) A quilt.
(c) A mosquito net.
(d) A blanket.

2. According to Lessing, why do authors write so many biographies?
(a) Biographies are based on fact.
(b) Biographies sell well.
(c) Biographies are simpler to write than fiction.
(d) Novels require more of the author's soul.

3. Why did Lessing not like the clothes that her mother had made for her?
(a) Because her mother always insisted on making clothing that was too big.
(b) Because her mother always made her clothes look too youthful.
(c) Because her mother had poor taste in clothing design.
(d) Because her mother was a poor seamstress.

4. Which of the following did Lessing delight in telling the other children at the school?
(a) That being naughty was more fun than behaving.
(b) That lying would make their face stick in a horrible position.
(c) That a lie was worse than being naughty.
(d) That being naughty was much worse than lying.

5. In Chapter 2, what is one thing that Lessing says the writer must have in order to begin to write about his/her life?
(a) Copious emotional space.
(b) Tedious, rhetorical questions.
(c) Free time.
(d) Perspective.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lessing say about memory?

2. Which of the following historic examples does Lessing use to support her claims about human nature?

3. What stove brand did Lessing's family use?

4. What remained unaffected by the Lessings' existence for 20 years?

5. What did the doctor prescribe to alleviate Lessing's mother's ailment?

(see the answer key)

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