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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 Karen say she believes men are better than women at in Act 2?

2. What is Sheriff Gilbeau's first name?

3. Where do Barbara and Bill live?

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

5. Who is Ivy's former boyfriend that Violet calls a loser in Act 1, Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information is revealed to the reader/audience in Act 1, Scene 3?

2. What is significant about the references to Barbara's career in Act 1, Scene 2?

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

4. What information is revealed in the Stage Directions in the beginning of the play?

5. What is significant about the conversation between Ivy and Violet in the beginning of Act 2?

6. What is significant about the reference to the safety deposit box in Act 1, Scene 2?

7. What foreshadowing is revealed in the Prologue to August: Osage County?

8. What is significant about Violet's comments about aging women in Act 2?

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

10. How would you describe the conflicts between Barbara and Violet in Act 1, Scene 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the plot structure of August: Osage County. Where in the narrative does the exposition transition to rising action? Where does the climax occur? What information is revealed in the falling action and denouement of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's use of literary allusion throughout August: Osage County. What poets and authors are discussed and/or quoted in the story? How do these authors and their works relate thematically to August: Osage County? What is the significance of Beverly's book of poetry?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Beverly Weston in the play. How old is Beverly? What was his claim to fame? What do Beverly's actions in the narrative reveal about his character and situation?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 772 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample