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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. According to Lessing, above all, what does history tell us?

2. Which of the following books did Lessing use to illustrate the difference in transitioning from the consciousness of a child to that of an adult?

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

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

5. How did the author feel about her childhood?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the circumstances that led to Alfred's depression.

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

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

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

6. Describe the English views of themselves and their relation to other people as Lessing portrays it in this chapter.

7. What sensation predominated Lessing's childhood?

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

9. How did Lessing's mother explain the bout of illness that kept her confined to bed?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Lessing's position on social class and class structures. How did Lessing perceive class? What was her social class at birth? And, how did her family's social status affect her understanding of the term, class? What moments from the autobiography appear to have contributed to her notions of what class and class structure were? Considering events from her childhood and young adult years, what inspired Lessing to join the Communist Party of Southern Rhodesia?

Essay Topic 2

In this section of the autobiography, Lessing detailed her progression to sexual awakening and maturity. Analyze Lessing's developing notions on sexuality in that section of her life story. How did she view sexuality? How did her views differ from the majority of those in her community? How did Lessing derive those notions of sexuality? Provide details from the text.

Essay Topic 3

World Wars I and II played a significant role in Lessing's autobiography. Analyze the way in which she grappled with the Wars as historical events; and the repercussions that Europe and the rest of the world faced as a result of those conflicts. How did Lessing portray those effects in the autobiography? How did the Wars differ from other conflicts before them? What was Lessing's opinion regarding those Wars in particular; and the practice of war in general? What reasons did she give for her views on war?

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