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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. Why is Sister James late to Sister Aloysius' office for her meeting with Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius?

2. What is Father Flynn's reaction when his private meeting with Donald Muller is brought up during the meeting in Sister Aloysius' office?

3. What song does Sister Aloysius finally consent to having in the Christmas pageant?

4. Where does Sister James say Father Flynn took Donald Muller alone?

5. According to Father Flynn, what do you do with your teammates during a basketball game?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Father Flynn tell the boys is different about shooting from the foul line versus the rest of the basketball game?

2. Why is Sister Aloysius' work with the rosebush similar to her work at the school?

3. In Scene 5, what makes Father Flynn have an idea to preach a sermon on intolerance?

4. How do we know that this play is set in 1964?

5. Why does Father Flynn say it's important to have a routine for shooting a free throw?

6. In Scene 5, when Father Flynn says that the sound of the wind must have been very lonely in frontier days, under what circumstance does Sister Aloysius say it would be lonely?

7. Why does Sister Aloysius want to see Sister James become more self-confident?

8. What is Father Flynn's relationship with the boys on the basketball team like?

9. Why does Father Flynn say it is dangerous to think at the foul line?

10. In Scene 1, why does the sailor in Father Flynn's sermon feel despair when clouds cover the sky?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Parables are used in a number of ways throughout the play. We see them in the sermons Father Flynn delivers and in the play itself. Describe what a parable is, identify at least two parables and the lessons they teach that were given in sermons during the play, and discuss how the play itself fits the model of a parable. What lesson is the play intended to teach?

Essay Topic 2

Doubt: A Parable contains several instances of symbolism, such as Father Flynn's fingernails, the crows harassing Father Flynn, the pruning of the rosebush, etc. Choose two symbols from the play. Discuss what each of them represents and provide evidence from the play.

Essay Topic 3

Mrs. Muller has an interesting way of protecting her son. This is revealed in how she feels about Donald's relationship with Father Flynn and her concern for his education. Write an essay discussing what Mrs. Muller believes to be true about her son and how that affects what she thinks is best for him? Why does she appreciate Father Flynn's interest in her son rather than worry about it?

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