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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the random growth patterns of the plants represent?
(a) Outside forces.
(b) Death.
(c) Chaos.
(d) Ideas and creativity.

2. What does Harry confide to the first house guest?
(a) He is considering having a doctor friend observe Claire's behavior.
(b) Claire has hidden the salt and pepper.
(c) Claire is having an affair.
(d) He no longer loves Claire.

3. What does Claire try to explain to the men over breakfast?
(a) Why she is unhappy in her marriage.
(b) The joy of letting things grow without restriction.
(c) Why there is no heat in the house.
(d) Why she doesn't spend more time with her daughter.

4. What is the first thing the audience sees in Act 1?
(a) A blizzard.
(b) A telephone.
(c) A greenhouse.
(d) An unusual-looking plant.

5. Who is Elizabeth?
(a) Harry and Claire's daughter.
(b) Claire's sister.
(c) Harry's daughter from a previous marriage.
(d) Claire's daughter from a previous marriage.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the first house guest to arrive at the greenhouse?

2. Who is the only character onstage when the curtain opens for the second time in Act 1?

3. Why can't the second house guest enter the greenhouse?

4. Harry and the first house guest have a discussion about what?

5. Which plant is not thriving?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the names and conditions of the two special plants in the greenhouse?

2. What does Claire do as a result of her anger and disillusionment with Tom?

3. Following Tom's rejection of her advances in the tower room, what does Claire do?

4. Which character responds to the code-like buzzer, and what does that character do?

5. Why is Claire unhappy, even though "The Breath of Life" bloomed beautifully?

6. Describe what the audience sees when the curtain first opens in Act 1.

7. When Claire and Tom are alone in the tower room, what does Claire admit to Tom, and what is his response?

8. What is the symbolic meaning of "The Breath of Life" in this play?

9. What is the profession of Claire's lover, Tom? How is his profession indicative of his character?

10. Describe what the audience hears when the curtain first opens in Act 1.

(see the answer keys)

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