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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 does Jeannette plan to do after high school?

2. What is the children's sleeping arrangement in their new home in Part 3?

3. In Part 3, Jeannette and Lori make big plans to do what?

4. Why do Jeannette's parents express concern over her living arrangement in New York?

5. How does Jeannette's grandparents feel about her relationship with Dinitia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What potentially dangerous situation does Rex put Jeannette in while her mother is out of town for training?

2. What happens when Jeannette makes an attempt to fix up her family's ramshackle home in West Virginia?

3. Rex is largely absent from the family after they move to Welch. What has he been doing during this time?

4. Why is Jeannette so interested in going to Ginnie Sue's house? What is her visit like?

5. Why does Rose Mary quit her job, and what is Jeannette's reaction?

6. After the incident between the children and Erma, what does Jeannette begin to wonder about her father?

7. When Erma dies, how does the Walls family react? How is Rex's reaction different from the rest of the family?

8. How does Rex, despite all of his problems, show his devotion to Jeannette during her college years?

9. How does Rose Mary view her and Rex's living situation in New York? How do the other members of the family see things differently?

10. How are Brian, Maureen, and Jeannette's ways of coping with their home life differ? What does each of them do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Rex has difficulty holding a job and fully realizing his responsibilities, yet he does love his children and expresses it as best he can. Describe the dysfunctional yet caring relationship between this father and his children. Discuss examples of both times he failed his children, as well as and in which he was able to 'come through' or express his love for them in a meaningful way.

Essay Topic 2

One of the author's earliest memories is of being badly burned while she is cooking by herself as a small child. She spends several weeks in the hospital, during which time she is not unhappy. In fact, she responds to the incident in a calm manner that belies her age.

1) What are Jeannette's memories of the incident? How does she react to the staff at the hospital?

2) How does Jeannette respond to the staff when they tell her that she is going to be all right?

3) What is her father's response to the incident? Do you find it surprising, or is it typical of him?

4) What do both Jeannette's and her parents' way of dealing with this incident say about each of their personalities and ways of approaching life?

Essay Topic 3

The author is able to grow into a successful adult despite her upbringing. How does the author's difficult childhood contribute to the development of self-reliance and confidence? Cite specific instances in the book of both how her difficult circumstances cause her to become stronger, or more resourceful, and how others in her life help her.

(see the answer keys)

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