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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. Why does the man at the IRA office refuse to give Malachy money for the bus fare home?
(a) Malachy also requested money for a pint of beer.
(b) The man is angry that Malachy wasted his time.
(c) The IRA is completely out of money.
(d) The man believes that Malachy has enough money.

2. What does Seamus bring Frank in the hospital?
(a) Alcohol.
(b) Books.
(c) Chocolate.
(d) Videos.

3. When Michael is sick, how does Frank's father save him?
(a) He and Angela take the boy to church to be blessed.
(b) He gives the boy a drink of beer to clear his sinuses.
(c) He rushes him to the doctor.
(d) He sucks the mucus out of his nose so that he can breathe.

4. How does Mikey get hurt?
(a) Peter beats him up.
(b) He twists his ankle running away from Peter's mother.
(c) The drainpipe he is on collapses, and he breaks his shoulder.
(d) He trips and falls into the river, breaking his arm.

5. What happens to Macushla in Chapter 7?
(a) He runs away.
(b) He becomes very ill.
(c) He is put to death.
(d) He has puppies.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do the children at school tease Frank and his brother about their boots?

2. In Chapter 2, why does Frank get in trouble with Mr. Benson at school?

3. What does Frank think of the new baby's name?

4. Why does Malachy believe he lost his job?

5. Why does Angela cry on the way home from Paddy's home?

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

3. Frank is hospitalized again in Chapter 9. What might this tell you about his overall health, and what might be the cause of it?

4. Consider the image of Malachy placing a pint of beer on Eugene's coffin in Chapter 2. What does this image represent to you? What does it mean?

5. In Chapter 7, the McCourt children have begun to mimic their mother's behavior towards Malachy when he comes home drunk. Describe how they act and whether you think Malachy deserves this.

6. Do you feel it was necessary for the McCourts, in Chapter 3, to move from the room on Hartstronge Street to Roden Lane? Why or why not?

7. Compare and contrast the character of Fintain with Frank.

8. What does Grandma's attitude towards first communion and first confession in Chapter 4 tell you about the role of Catholicism in their lives?

9. There are several instances where Frank begins to show his rebellious nature in Chapter 5. Describe these instances.

10. Grandpa McCourt sends the family money in Chapter 7, and Malachy spends it on alcohol. Why is this particular act more despicable than Malachy's others?

(see the answer keys)

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