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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. Where does Katrin put the empty boxes?

2. What is the name of the specialist who is going to perform Papa's surgery?

3. Where does the family celebrate a wedding?

4. How many Children does Mama have at the end of the book?

5. Who asks, "Now truly, indeed, do you have Peder?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mrs. Beauchamp angry when she discovers who the carpenter is?

2. What is Aunt Elna's favorite thing to do?

3. Why is Mama understanding when Katrin tells her that she has stolen candy from the drugstore?

4. What does Mama buy with her coat money?

5. Why does Peder marry a woman from Oslo instead of Elna?

6. Why does Christine want to work instead of continuing her education?

7. How is the Martin family different from Mama's family?

8. Why can Mama comfort Christine when Nels and Frank can not?

9. Why does Nels break up with Cora?

10. How are the boarders "part of the family"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, symbolism is an important theme. Discuss the use and meaning of the following symbols: the silver brooch, Christine's wages, and Katrin's writing brochures.

Essay Topic 2

There is a common theme throughout the novel of anything being possible when it comes to family. Mama often says "is good" or "all is good." What does she mean by this statement, and why is it repeated throughout the book? Describe two or three instances when a family member shows that he or she will do anything to protect or show love for another family member.

Essay Topic 3

The concept of savings accounts and banks are important throughout the book. Although the book is called "Mama's Bank Account" the family rarely mentions either account. Compare and contrast Mama's Bank Account and The Little Bank and explain why the author does not mention the accounts very much, but chooses to title the book after one of them.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 811 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample