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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 does the performer Lotte Lehmann encourage the von Trapps to do?

2. What does Maria think of the villa's garden?

3. Who escapes Austria with the von Trapp family?

4. At Macy's department store, what is Maria afraid of?

5. Why does the family receive a phone call from a Salzburg radio station manager?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the "American Farmer?"

2. When the family first arrives at the Hotel Wellington in New York City, what experiences do they have?

3. When the mother of a famous harpsichordist advises the family that they need to get themselves a publicist, what do the von Trapps do?

4. Describe the conversation between Maria and Princess Yvonne in Maria's room at the villa.

5. After the Nazis take over, what changes take place at the children's school?

6. How often does the Trapp family sing at their villa?

7. How does Maria feel about her family being regarded as "poor refugees?"

8. What happens to the family's clothes when they get their laundry done in New York at the rate of six cents a pound?

9. After the von Trapp family gets used to the routine of giving concerts, there is still one aspect of performing they dislike. What is it?

10. After Maria returns home from her kidney stone procedure, the family gets a long distance call. What information do they receive during this call?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning, Georg is opposed to his family performing in public, but later he relents and even goes on stage to introduce them. Write an analysis exploring what caused the patriarch to have a change of heart and support his family's singing career.

Essay Topic 2

A deeply religious woman, Maria uses biblical examples often to support a point she's making or compare her own challenges with obstacles biblical figures faced. Supporting your answer with specific examples from the book, explain why Maria draws a comparison or connection between her situations, challenges, or thought processes and bible stories. How does Maria's faith help her get through life's challenges? Cite at least two examples.

Essay Topic 3

Father Wasner is a minor yet significant character in the book, who essentially becomes part of the family.

1. Write an analysis of Father Wasner, describing who he is, how he joined the family, and what his role is in the Trapps' everyday life and singing career.

2. In what ways does his presence benefit the family? Do you think they could have advanced their singing careers without him? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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