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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. Zuss wonders if J.B. knows that he is a(n) ______ in the story.

2. According to Mr. Zuss, why does Job not have a right to question God?

3. J.B. sings a song that says, "To be, become, and end are all _____."

4. Sarah compares their children to J.B., saying that they both show gratitude the way a woman does what?

5. At the beginning of Scene 2, what do Zuss and Nickles remove?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sarah suggest that she and J.B. see into the darkness on the other side of the door?

2. How does J.B. view his luck at his Thanksgiving dinner?

3. What is an allegory?

4. What does Zuss do when he declares he's sick of the whole business?

5. Sarah and J.B. are arguing over what subject at Thanksgiving?

6. When J.B. and Sarah try to figure out why they had children killed by a drunk driver, what does J.B. say to answer Sarah's question of why God did this to them?

7. What does the debate over whether J.B. knows he is an actor suggest?

8. What does Nickles think about Zuss' line, "His will, our peace?"

9. How is J.B. and Sarah's youngest daughter killed?

10. What do the group of women and the young girl do when they first arrive on the stage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the importance, or the symbolism, of having the play set in a circus tent? Support your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Using specific examples to support your answer, answer the following question: What is the argument and circumstances that cause Zuss to lose his temper? What does Zuss' loss of temper have to do with Nickles' loss of temper?

Essay Topic 3

In this play, what is the relationship between faith and fear? Cite specific examples from the play to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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