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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where did Lessing's father work after he was discharged from the Army?
(a) National Hospital of England.
(b) A small farm in Rhodesia.
(c) Imperial Bank of Persia.
(d) The Scotland Yard.

2. Which of the following does Lessing state as signifying the end of any war?
(a) Military defeat.
(b) Negotiations.
(c) Armistice.
(d) Total victory.

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

4. How many acres of land did James Tayler own in 1851?
(a) 300.
(b) 90.
(c) 30.
(d) 130.

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

6. What did the doctor prescribe to alleviate Lessing's mother's ailment?
(a) Hydration and exercise.
(b) Bed rest.
(c) Tonic and quinine.
(d) Penicillin.

7. According to the quote at the opening of Chapter 1, the girl in Lessing's mother's favorite saying only cared about which of the following?
(a) Singing and prancing.
(b) Cats and flowers.
(c) Books and studying.
(d) Horses and dancing.

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

9. What stove brand did Lessing's family use?
(a) Smith & Son's.
(b) McVeagh's.
(c) Liberty's.
(d) Carron Dover.

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

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

12. What remained unaffected by the Lessings' existence for 20 years?
(a) The bush.
(b) The natives.
(c) The wildcats.
(d) The trees.

13. What did Biddy O'Halloran's skin resemble?
(a) Bronze.
(b) Olives.
(c) Peaches and cream.
(d) Red jelly and cream.

14. Where was John McVeagh born?
(a) Persia.
(b) Rhodesia.
(c) England.
(d) Portugal.

15. What did Lessing's father think of his Persian business partners?
(a) That they were corrupt.
(b) That they were lazy.
(c) That they were members of a different culture.
(d) That they were incompetent.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the name of Lessing's nanny?

2. Which of the following illnesses did Lessing's family battle?

3. Which company offered loans to the farmers in Lessing's region?

4. What does Lessing say about memory?

5. How did Lessing's mother convey her distaste for Emily McVeagh?

(see the answer keys)

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