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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Lessing's mother cure Lessing's lice problem?
(a) By shaving her head.
(b) By washing her hair with scalding hot water.
(c) With paraffin.
(d) With expensive shampoo.

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

3. To which of the following illnesses did Lessing's brother often succumb?
(a) Migraine headaches.
(b) Pneumonia.
(c) Bronchitis.
(d) Emphysema.

4. In Chapter 8, what does Lessing reference as a common theme throughout her childhood?
(a) Adventures.
(b) Trees.
(c) Dreams.
(d) Fires.

5. How many bouts of illness did Lessing's family experience?
(a) One.
(b) Four.
(c) Three.
(d) Two.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of animals frequently made their way into the Tayler house?

2. In Chapter 2, what is one thing that Lessing says the writer must have in order to begin to write about his/her life?

3. What type of play did Lessing write while at the Convent?

4. How much capital did Lessing's father take to Southern Rhodesia?

5. How many biographers were writing about Lessing at the time that she wrote the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Lessing avoid dealing with her conflicts with her mother?

2. Why did Lessing's parents have all their teeth removed before leaving for Africa?

3. How did Lessing's parents plan to acquire land in Southern Rhodesia?

4. According to Lessing's memory, how did she learn to interact with people around her?

5. What did Lessing do one night when she was forced to remain in the cabin while her parents attended a dance?

6. Quoting a recent historian, to what major event does Lessing attribute current feelings of mistrust toward the government?

7. In Chapter 6, what was Lessing's mother's primary concern about the children?

8. In your opinion, why does Lessing trace her lineage in the opening chapter?

9. Describe Lessing's outlook on the future of the world and human society.

10. In Chapter 3, what type of child abuse does Lessing describe?

(see the answer keys)

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