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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. When Uncle Hal arrives, what does he have in tow?

2. In his first job, for what company does Russell work?

3. What business did Uncle Etch run?

4. After Newark, where does the family move?

5. How many children did Ida Rebecca have?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Uncle Edwin do for a living?

3. Why don't Hal and Charlie get along?

4. Why has Uncle Charlie chosen never to leave the house?

5. To whom does Lucy "give up" Audrey?

6. How does Lucy punish Russell when he misbehaves?

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

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

9. Who is Oluf?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Lucy's letters to and from Oluf. Though Russell did not discover these letters until later in life, they represent an important part of Lucy's history. Go through each letter provided in the text and make a chronicle of the relationship between Lucy and Oluf--what would such a relationship have meant to her? Why must the two break off the romance? Does young Russell notice anything amiss in their day to day life? Be sure to cite quotations from the text.

Essay Topic 2

What is the style of this work? What elements does the author blend together? What is the end result? How does the author make the adolescent and childhood experiences translate into meaningful reading for adults? Do you enjoy reading nonfiction and biographical works? Why or why not? Did you enjoy reading this book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Like everyone, Russell has insecurities about himself. How do his insecurities change over the years? Examine Russell as:

1) A small child.

2) A boy.

3) An adolescent.

4) A teenager.

5) A young man.

What are his biggest concerns at each age? How does he overcome his fears?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 621 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample