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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. In Scene 4, what does Sister Aloysius say it is her job to do?

2. In Father Flynn's opening sermon, he mentions what event that happened the year before the play takes place?

3. Why doesn't Sister James think anyone will hit Donald Muller?

4. What does Sister Aloysius say it is important for children to have?

5. What does Father Flynn say was his reason for meeting with Donald Muller?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Sister Aloysius think the song Frosty the Snowman is heretical?

3. Why is Sister Aloysius anxious at the beginning of Scene 5?

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

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

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

7. Why does Father Flynn tell the boys about his childhood acquaintance Timmy Mathisson?

8. What differs in Sister Aloysius' story about Sister Veronica tripping over the fallen limb that she tells Mr. McGinn versus what she tells Father Flynn?

9. Why is Sister Aloysius so certain that someone will hit Donald Muller?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do Father Flynn's long fingernails tells us about him? What do they represent? How does Sister Aloysius feel about his fingernails? Why are Father Flynn's long fingernails significant?

Essay Topic 2

The Catholic church is almost a character unto itself in Doubt: A Parable. Describe how the church hierarchy affects the characters and plot of the play. How do the nuns and priests interact with each other? If they were not governed by the church, how might the story have ended differently? Provide evidence from the play to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of instances of compassion in this play. Compassion is displayed by characters we don't expect compassion from, and for characters we aren't certain deserve compassion. Write an essay discussing the ways in which compassion is used in this play. Who shows compassion and towards whom? Is the compassion warranted? From whom do we see unexpected compassion?

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