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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 does the reader learn a lot of back story on the current situation between Frank and April?

2. Why does Earl come home crestfallen?

3. For what does April apologize again?

4. What does Frank also seem better able to do at the office?

5. What does Frank do after pulling the car over?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Frank tell Maureen about himself?

2. What does April think about her plan to move to Europe?

3. What does Frank feel about Maureen's story?

4. What does Shep Campbell do as he polishes his shoes?

5. How does Shep meet Milly? What happens to their relationship?

6. How does Frank react to April's mood?

7. How does Frank's father feel when they return from the city?

8. To what does Frank look forward? Why?

9. How does April feel after the play? How does this affect her relationship with her husband?

10. How do the audience members and actors feel at intermission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Frank and April decide against moving to France.

Part 1) Why do they decide not to move to France? Is this a good choice? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does this decision affect the neighbors and friends? Why are they affected this way?

Part 3) Are you surprised they did not move to France? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Helen Givings becomes a touchstone for measuring the depth of frustration and unhappiness that awaits American suburbanites in the 1950s.

Part 1) How is this statement correct?

Part 2) How does this contrast with the stereotypical suburban housewife and home in the 1950s?

Part 3) Why does this disparity exist between real life in the 1950s and the stereotypical 1950s life?

Essay Topic 3

April dies toward the end of the story.

Part 1) How does she die? Did you expect this to happen? Why or why not?

Part 2) Do you believe she had hoped to die, that in a way she committed suicide? Why or why not?

Part 3) What was the author's purpose in April's death? What message does this send to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 945 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample