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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 is Catherine's explanation as to why she wrote the proof?
2. Why can't Robert concentrate in the house?
3. What does Robert love about bookstores in September?
4. What object does Claire give to Hal before he leaves?
5. Who does Hal want to speak with upon his return to the house?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Catherine meet Hal?
2. Why has Hal come back to the house after the fight?
3. What do Robert and Catherine decide to do for dinner?
4. Did Hal intentionally take advantage of Catherine when they slept together?
5. Describe Robert's demeanor throughout the scene.
6. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?
7. How do Robert's feelings differ between Catherine and Claire?
8. Why has Robert decided to write on the porch?
9. Where has Catherine come from to check on Robert?
10. Is Hal personally conflicted about taking the notebook?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
What are Catherine's arguments that she wrote the proof? What are Claire's arguments that she did not write the proof? Why is Hal skeptical? What is Catherine's explanation for her advanced understand of mathematics? At the climax of Act 1, Catherine tries to destroy the proof, though it is of extreme mathematical importance and she has poured her heart and soul into it. Why, at that point, is her only option to destroy it? Why does Claire stop her?
Essay Topic 2
Catherine is a complex character: for a young person, she has held an extraordinary amount of responsibility. However, according to her sister Claire, Catherine now cannot take care of herself.
1.) Cite three instances in the text where Claire's argument can be made, and Catherine's behavior is reprehensible.
2.) Is Claire justified in stepping into Catherine's life? In selling the house? In moving Catherine to New York?
3.) Is Claire trying to help Catherine out of a sense of sisterly love, or misplaced guilt over Robert's death?
Essay Topic 3
Hal admits at the end of Act 2 not only that the proof is correct, but that he was wrong and should have believe Catherine the first time. How does this admission vindicate her? She proceeds not to explicitly forgive him, but does agree to sit down and explain the proof. Is this perhaps the first time she has ever had the opportunity to talk to anyone about her work? What fear does she reveal to Hal? What are the implications for the future as she begins to explain the proof to Hal?
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This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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