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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Lessing's mother convey her distaste for Emily McVeagh?
(a) A sniff.
(b) A story about her frivolous ways.
(c) A constant undercurrent in her descriptions of Emily.
(d) A look of disdain in her eyes.

2. What do Lessing's parents do in preparation for their next voyage?
(a) They drew up a legal will.
(b) They studied French.
(c) They saved money scrupulously.
(d) They had their teeth removed.

3. What was the name of Lessing's nanny?
(a) Betsy.
(b) Beth.
(c) Biddy.
(d) Betty.

4. How much capital did Lessing's father take to Southern Rhodesia?
(a) £ 10,000.
(b) £ 2,500.
(c) £ 1,000.
(d) £ 100.

5. What made Lessing and her brother weep at the end of Chapter 5?
(a) Their mother shaved her head.
(b) Their servants were fired for stealing.
(c) Their mother died.
(d) Their father died.

6. How did Lessing rebel while aboard the ship?
(a) By stealing things and lying about them.
(b) By speaking disrespectfully to the nanny.
(c) By staying up late.
(d) By sneaking out of the cabin.

7. Which of the following killed one of the chickens and took off with a couple of eggs?
(a) A mongoose.
(b) A snake.
(c) A cat.
(d) A mischievous child.

8. How did Mrs. Mitchell and her son treat their Black servants?
(a) Mrs. Mitchell and her son screamed at and berated their Black servants.
(b) Mrs. Mitchell and her son treated their Black servants just like family.
(c) Mrs. Mitchell and her son treated their black servants like slaves.
(d) Mrs. Mitchell and her son completely ignored their Black servants.

9. Which of the following conditions ailed the author's father?
(a) Shell Shock.
(b) Bulimia.
(c) Schizophrenia.
(d) Insomnia.

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

11. In Chapter 4, what city did Lessing's mother insist on traveling through on the way back to England?
(a) Brussels.
(b) Paris.
(c) Moscow.
(d) London.

12. To which of the following religions did Lessing suddenly convert?
(a) Roman Catholicism.
(b) Christianity.
(c) Judaism.
(d) Anglicanism.

13. Which of the following organizations asked Lessing to write a play in the 1950's?
(a) The BBC.
(b) The Royal Theater Company.
(c) The Shakespeare Theater Company.
(d) The Liverpool Theater Company.

14. How many trek oxen hauled the wagon carrying Lessing's family?
(a) 12.
(b) 16.
(c) 18.
(d) 14.

15. What was Lessing's name for her outward personality?
(a) Tigger.
(b) Igor.
(c) Winnie the Pooh.
(d) Joey.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the difference between African huts and English huts?

2. Why did Lessing learn to drive?

3. With whom did Lessing board as a child?

4. Which of the following drugs does Lessing admit to having taken once?

5. To which book did Lessing often compare her childhood?

(see the answer keys)

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