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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 month does Violet claim it is in the beginning of Act 2?

2. What did Barbara and Sheriff Gilbeau do instead of attending the prom?

3. Why does Violet tell Barbara that Beverly was disappointed in her in Act 1, Scene 2?

4. For how long does the sheriff say Beverly's body has been in the water in Act 1, Scene 4?

5. What is the name of the book that Beverly wrote and published?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How would you compare Barbara to Violet in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. Where do the Weston family members make arrangements to stay in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. What is significant about the revelations regarding Sheriff Gilbeau in Act 1, Scene 4?

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

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

7. What is the most important plot element that is revealed in Act 1, Scene 1?

8. What foreshadowing can be seen in Act 1, Scene 1?

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

10. What theme is predominant in Act 1, Scene 4? How is this theme developed in the scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the conflicts that arise in Act 2 of the play. What physical conflicts take place? What leads up to these conflicts? Are the conflicts in Act 2 resolved? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the theme of addiction in August: Osage County. What characters display tendencies toward addiction? What has led to these tendencies? How is the struggle of addiction dealt with in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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