View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the youngest of Beverly and Violet's children?

2. For how long has Beverly been missing in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. Where does the sheriff say Beverly's body was found in Act 1, Scene 4?

4. For what crime did the sheriff's father go to the penitentiary, according to Mattie Fae in Act 1, Scene 1?

5. Whose green bean casserole does Barbara call inedible in Act 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first climax that occurs in Act 1, Scene 4?

2. How does the revelation of Beverly's death tie into the themes of the play?

3. What is significant about the reference to Sheriff Gilbeau in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. What literary allusions does Beverly Weston make in the play's Prologue?

5. What theme is introduced in Act 1, Scene 1 of August: Osage County?

6. What is the significance of Jean's partaking of marijuana in Act 1, Scene 2?

7. Where does the second climax occur in Act 1, Scene 4?

8. What important exposition is established in the Prologue to August: Osage County?

9. How is the temperature of the Weston home metaphorical in August: Osage County?

10. How and why are Karen and Violet juxtaposed against one another in the beginning of Act 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Jean in the play. How old is Jean? How would you describe Jean's relationships with her mother and father? Whom does Jean become closest to in the course of the play? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the family dynamic of the Aiken family in August: Osage County. How many children do Mattie Fae and Charlie have? How would you describe the relationship between Mattie Fae and Charlie? How would you describe their relationship with Little Charles?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of longing for connection in August: Osage County. How does this theme manifest itself through the main characters? How is the theme developed through action in the plot? What symbolism and/or imagery relates to this theme?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample