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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. At what age did Emily McVeagh die?

2. Which of the following song for children made Lessing's mother cry?

3. Which of the following organizations asked Lessing to write a play in the 1950's?

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

5. What year did Lessing leave Southern Rhodesia?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Lessing in Chapter 2, what is the role of truth in autobiographical writing?

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

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

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

5. In Chapter 4, what prompted the Tayler family to move to Africa?

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

7. From the details Lessing provides in Chapter 1, describe the circumstances which led to Maude's broken heart.

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

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

10. How does Lessing describe her childhood vulnerability?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

History plays a key role in forming the text of the autobiography. Examine the ways in which Lessing relied on, recounted, or challenged history in the text. How central was history in Lessing's understanding of her own life? How essential was Lessing's life in her understanding of history? Were those two elements inextricably linked? What did Lessing's autobiography contribute to your understanding of history, understanding of historical events, or the way in which history is recorded?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the way in which Lessing presented her relationship with her mother. Did she respect or resent her mother? What strained their relationship? Why did Lessing's mother disapprove of Lessing's choices? Ultimately, how did Lessing reflect on her relationship with her mother?

Essay Topic 3

As a child, Lessing grew up in Persia and Southern Rhodesia - regions that were both part of the British Commonwealth. Examine the way in which Lessing discussed life as an English citizen living in the Commonwealth. What were the conditions of their lives as English citizens? How did the lives of the English differ from the lives of the indigenous peoples? How did Lessing treat those conditions and differences?

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