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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. On what does Penny comment?

2. Where do Alice and Tony go on a date?

3. From where do Paul Sycamore and Mr. DePinna emerge?

4. How might Tony's family compare to Alice's?

5. What is the purpose of the cluttered and chaotic living room of Grandpa Vanderhof?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alice say to Tony, regarding their relationship? Why does she say this? What assumptions is she making?

2. What unexpected event takes place? How does all the activity prior to this event add to the shock and humor of this event?

3. Describe Grandpa Vanderhof. From where is he returning? What does he enjoy about this activity?

4. How does Grandpa relieve Mr. Kirby's fears? How does this also relieve the tension between the two families.

5. How does the second act open? What new character does the audience meet? How does she add to the comedic aspect of the play?

6. How does the scene become more confusing? How would this add more stress to Alice's already stressed-out life?

7. What have Paul Sycamore and Mr. DePinna been doing? Why is this odd?

8. How might Alice feel after she and Tony part for the night?

9. What does Donald bring? Why? What is strange about this?

10. What happens when the doorbell rings? How does this add to the comedic feeling of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alice and Tony meet at work.

Part 1) What is Tony's job? What is Alice's job? How does this make them compatible?

Part 2) Ironically, how does Alice's career make her odd, compared to the rest of her family?

Part 3) What draws Tony to Alice's family and vice versa? What are they lacking in their own lives that makes them fond of each other's families?

Essay Topic 2

The play takes place in Grandpa Vanderhof's livingroom.

Part 1) How does the play open?

Part 2) How does the audience or reader learn about each character? Is this an effective introduction to each character? Why or why not?

Part 3) Why might the playwrights have introduced them in this way?

Essay Topic 3

Tony's parents are significant characters.

Part 1) What do they represent? How can the audience member and reader relate to them?

Part 2) Compare and contrast them to the Vanderhof/Sycamore family.

Part 3) How do the Kirbys change throughout the play? Why?

Part 4) How do you feel about this change in them? Why do you feel this way?

(see the answer keys)

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