All the Years of Her Life

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What is the main conflict in “All the Years of Her Life”?

A) Alfred’s struggle with his father

B) Alfred being caught shoplifting

C) Alfred’s disagreement with his mother

D) Alfred wanting to leave home

2. How does Alfred’s perception of his mother change throughout the story?

A) He realizes she is not cruel but kind.

B) He grows to resent her actions.

C) He gains a deeper appreciation for her.

D) He becomes indifferent toward her.

3. What is the significance of the drugstore in the story?

A) It is a symbol of freedom and independence for Alfred.

B) It represents a place of comfort and security for Alfred.

C) It serves as a catalyst for Alfred’s transformation.

D) It is a setting for social interactions between Alfred and his friends.

4. How does Alfred’s mother respond when she learns about his theft?

A) She scolds him harshly in a performance for Mr. Carr.

B) She forgives him immediately and forgets about it.

C) She ignores the issue and pretends nothing happened.

D) She feels disappointed but helps him anyway.

5. What does the story suggest about the nature of maturity?

A) Maturity is achieved by conforming to societal expectations.

B) Maturity comes with age and experience.

C) Maturity means accepting responsibility for one’s actions.

D) Maturity is unattainable for individuals like Alfred.

6. Which statement most likely reflects the author’s purpose in writing “All the Years of Her Life”?

A) To entertain readers with a suspenseful story about a young man’s criminal activities

B) To educate readers about the legal consequences of theft regardless of the value of the items stolen

C) To evoke empathy in readers by exploring the complexities of family relationships and personal growth

D) To criticize society’s judgment of individuals who have committed crimes and advocate for their rehabilitation

7. Which of the following best describes the contrast between Mrs. Higgins’s words and actions?

A) She speaks harshly to Alfred but is fiercely devoted to him.

B) She speaks kindly to Mr. Carr but resents his treatment of Alfred.

C) She speaks sadly about Alfred’s theft but understands his actions.

D) She speaks sympathetically to Alfred but thinks he is a criminal.

8. How does the character of Alfred compare to that of his mother?

A) Alfred is clever, while his mother is simple.

B) Alfred is selfish, while his mother is generous.

C) Alfred is impulsive, while his mother is cautious.

D) Alfred is independent, while his mother is dependent.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Discuss the significance of the title, “All the Years of Her Life,” in relation to the character of Alfred’s mother.

2. How do Alfred’s perception of his actions and his mother’s perspective on his actions influence the story’s events and the characters’ understanding of each other?