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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. How did Robert die?

2. What is Claire doing with the house?

3. Who was Claire drinking with the night before?

4. How many notebooks did Robert leave behind?

5. Why is Catherine upset with Claire at the end of Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Hal think he will still have the next great mathematical revelation?

2. Why is Hal insistent on going through all of Robert's notebooks?

3. Describe Catherine's reaction when she discovers the notebook.

4. Why is Hal's entrance at the end of the scene helpful for Catherine?

5. Why has Hal come to the house?

6. Are Claire and Catherine very comfortable around one another?

7. How does Catherine describe Robert's mathematical processes?

8. Describe how Catherine treats the police when they arrive.

9. Why does Hal think his papers get turned down for publication?

10. Why does Catherine demand to see Hal's backpack? Does she find anything?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Hal is a mathematician and a doctoral candidate, he mishandles almost his entire relationship Catherine.

1.) Describe Hal and Catherine's relationship in chronological order, starting with their first meeting and moving through the end of Act 2.

2.) Does Hal really care for Catherine, or is he only interested in her proof?

3.) Could Hal's attraction to Catherine also be tangled up with his sorrow over Robert's death?

Essay Topic 2

In the play, there is a fine line between madness and genius; kindness and presumption. Discuss this fine line as it applies to:

1.) Robert.

2.) Catherine.

3.) Claire.

Essay Topic 3

Claire is a very different character from Catherine, but has a very distinct point of view in the play.

1.) What does Claire do for a living? Is she a mathematical person too?

2.) What was Claire's contribution during Robert's illness? How does this make Catherine somewhat beholden to her?

3.) Describe Claire's personality. How does she differ from Catherine and Robert?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 602 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample