View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why doesn't the telegram boy bring a telegram to the family?
(a) Malachy did not send any money home.
(b) The telegram boy was fired.
(c) Angela and the children were not home to receive it.
(d) The telegram boy had the wrong address.

2. What is unusual about Mr. O'Halloran?
(a) He likes America.
(b) He brings the boys food.
(c) He sleeps in class.
(d) He dismisses class early.

3. When told there is no work in Ireland, Malachy decides to go to Dublin. Why?
(a) There are better school opportunities for the children in Dublin.
(b) He believes there is work there.
(c) He has been told the IRA owes him money.
(d) Malachy's family lives in Dublin.

4. Who is Frank excited to see when he is hospitalized the second time?
(a) Nurse Rita.
(b) Mikey.
(c) Dr. O'Connor.
(d) Seamus.

5. Why does Quigley seem to annoy his teachers?
(a) He is always fighting with the other boys.
(b) His clothes are always dirty.
(c) He is always asking questions.
(d) He cannot read.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Malachy agree to go work in England?

2. Why is Frank's grandmother not speaking to Angela at the beginning of Chapter 5?

3. Why is Angela and Malachy's first born son not named after his father?

4. What is Angela's last resort for feeding the children in Chapter 9?

5. Why does Angela slide into a deep depression?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 2, why do you think the officials at the St. Vincent de Paul Society are hesitant to help the McCourts?

2. Describe your first impression of Angela's mother in Chapter 2. What kind of woman does she appear to be?

3. Why does the man at the IRA office refuse Malachy and his family bus fare home in Chapter 2?

4. Why does Peter Dooley want to read the news on the BBC radio? What do you think of his goals?

5. Discuss Malachy's attitude towards work in Chapter 3.

6. What does Frank miss most about the hospital when he arrives home in Chapter 8? Would you feel the same way?

7. In Chapter 5, Malachy begins to write letters for people who are unable to write. He always tells these people to keep their money, but Angela always takes it. What does this tell you about their priorities?

8. Why does Frank feel sorry for the Spellacies in Chapter 7?

9. When Frank arrives home from the hospital in Chapter 8, he realizes that Malachy is unemployed again. Should Frank be surprised by this? Why or why not?

10. What is the overall tone of Chapter 1? What events or details indicate that?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,177 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample