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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 sin did Father O'Rourke say the gossipy woman had committed?

2. What does Mrs. Muller tell Sister Aloysius Donald has at St. Nicholas?

3. What did the woman tell Father O'Rourke was the result of his request?

4. Who does the gossiping woman in Father Flynn's sermon on gossip represent?

5. What does Sister Aloysius say Father Flynn is a disgrace to?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Father Flynn comes to Sister Aloysius' office in the second part of Scene 8, why does she tell him he can't come in?

2. In Scene 9, why is Sister Aloysius glad that Sister James went to see her family?

3. In Scene 7, what indications does Sister James give that she takes Father Flynn's sermons very seriously?

4. Why does Mrs. Muller say that it was Donald who was punished for drinking the wine instead of Father Flynn being punished for giving it to him?

5. In Scene 7, why does Father Flynn say that the truth makes for a poor sermon?

6. In Scene 9, what does Sister James tell Sister Aloysius she thinks of Father Flynn?

7. In Father Flynn's sermon, what does Father O'Rourke tell the gossipy woman she should be particularly ashamed of?

8. In Father Flynn's sermon, what point is Father O'Rourke trying to make about gossip when he instructs the gossipy woman to pick up every last feather?

9. What does Father Flynn say Sister Aloysius is holding the school and parish back from?

10. What reason does Mrs. Muller give Sister Aloysius for Donald drinking the altar wine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are so many ways in which doubt is raised throughout the course of the play. In Scene 5, we see a confrontation between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius, and by the end the audience is left wondering if the battle is more personal than professional. What is your opinion on the confrontation? Is Sister Aloysius simply out to get Father Flynn because of personal differences, or is she truly concerned about his professional role with the students and their well-being? Provide examples to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Is Father Flynn innocent or guilty? Write an essay stating your opinion and using evidence from the play to support your thoughts.

Essay Topic 3

What are the doubts Sister Aloysius speaks of at the end of the play? Does she doubt Father Flynn's guilt? Is she doubting her position at the school? Does she doubt she's done the right thing by the students in having Father Flynn transferred?

(see the answer keys)

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