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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. Why does Alice love Tony?

2. Why does Alice tell Tony she cannot marry him?

3. How does Alice feel about her family?

4. Who is Mr. Henderson?

5. Why is Mr. Henderson at the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alice's father do when she comes into the room? Why does he do this?

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

3. Who is Essie Carmichael? What is she doing in this scene? How does she fit seamlessly into the Sycamore family?

4. How is Tony beginning to act more like the Sycamore family? Why?

5. What does Grandpa do right before dinner? Why does he say this? What might this foreshadow?

6. What happens before Tony and Alice part? What does this show about their relationship?

7. What is Grandpa's philosophy on life? How does this relate to the title of the play?

8. How does Penny try to ease tension? Why does this not work?

9. Why is the Grand Duchess at the Sycamore's home? How can the audience members relate to this?

10. About what is "You Can't Take It With You?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Vanderhof/Sycamore family is very unique.

Part 1) How are they unique?

Part 2) Why do Alice and Tony love them? Why are they such an endearing family?

Part 3) Why might the playwrights have chosen such odd characters for this play? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Grandpa Vanderhof returns from a commencement ceremony.

Part 1) Where was the commencement ceremony? Why does he go to this ceremony?

Part 2) Why might commencement ceremonies be meaningful to Grandpa?

Part 3) What is something meaningful in your own life? Compare and contrast it to Grandpa's interest in commencement ceremonies.

Essay Topic 3

Essie and Penny are interested in the arts.

Part 1) What art form does Essie study? In what art forms does Penny participate?

Part 2) Describe these two characters' artistic endeavors. Are they very successful? Do they take themselves and their art seriously? Do others take them seriously? Use the text to support your response.

Part 3) Why do the playwrights have the arts as an important aspect of this play? What message are they trying to convey to the audience?

(see the answer keys)

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