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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. What major travel institution was located in Brunswick?

2. What hobby does Aunt Pat introduce to Russell?

3. Why has Oluf left Newark?

4. What happens to Benjamin after he has been drinking?

5. Why was Russell enrolled in a gymnastics program?

Short Essay Questions

1. Since he is unable to talk with his ailing mother, what does Russell realize about the past?

2. How does Russell learn about the birds and the bees?

3. How does Lucy punish Russell when he misbehaves?

4. Who is Oluf?

5. How does the author describe his mother's attitude toward men?

6. What did Lucy Elizabeth feel was her greatest failure with Benjamin?

7. What has happened to Russell's mother?

8. Where does the family move after Morrisonville?

9. What are some of the reasons Ida Rebecca dislikes Lucy Elizabeth?

10. What is the cause of Benny's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Russell talks of rough-and-tumble fights, both in Belleville and in Baltimore. What is the difference between the two places? How does Russell fight off bullies in Belleville? How does Russell fight off bullies in Baltimore? Does Russell enjoy fighting or not? What does he learn from both Walter and Pete?

Essay Topic 2

The novel has a huge list of characters. Choose four characters and write about how they influence Russell's life, worldview, personality, etc. Each character should have at least one full paragraph devoted to them. If you use quotations from the text be sure to cite your sources.

Essay Topic 3

Part of growing up is testing boundaries. How does Russell begin to test his boundaries with Lucy? How old is he? How old is she? Even as a child, how much does Russell understand about being punished by Lucy? Why does she decide to punish him in such a way? Who is more upset by Russell's punishments--Russell or Lucy? Why does Russell refuse to cry? Use these leading questions to create a profile of young Russell, battling against Lucy's determination that he will make something of himself.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample