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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 is Curt helping Sandy in Act 2, Scene 5?

2. What will happen to the people involved with the crimes at the massage parlor?

3. What is the source of Doug being upset in Act 2, Scene 4?

4. When does Act 2, Scene 1, take place?

5. Why could Curt never have anyone over to his house when he was little?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sandy react when Beth arrives at Curt's apartment and finds her there? Have examples from Act 2, Scene 1, support your answer.

2. What does Beth tell Curt in Act 2, Scene 3, that he needs to do regarding his childhood? Is there any evidence from the play to support her suggestion?

3. How does Curt feel about Sandy arriving at this apartment in the middle of the night?

4. In Act 2, Scene 4, Doug is very upset about the possibility of people being arrested during the raid at he massage parlor. What are the reasons for his feelings?

5. How does Heather react to what has happened with Sandy's apartment?

6. In Act 2, Scene 4, what does Curt tell Doug is the reason that makes it so easy for Curt and Beth to end a four-year relationship?

7. Is there evidence to support Curt holding Beth's middle-class upbringing against her in Act 2, Scene 3?

8. In Act 2, Scene 6, how does Doug encourage Curt?

9. What about Sandy's personality makes her horrified at Curt stealing the money? Use examples from the play to support your answer.

10. Does Curt have any real reason to feel like Beth keeps him around so she can feel good about herself? Use evidence from the play to support your answer.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Curt and Doug are partners. At the beginning of the play, Curt is the strong one of the duo and is understanding of Doug's irresponsible ways. By the end, Doug is supporting Curt and understanding of his mistakes, telling him to get his life together before he ruins it completely.

1. What makes Doug grow up and take over Curt's responsible role? Use examples from the play to support.

2. A year later, Doug seems to still be helping Curt along. Why was Curt never able to return to his original role of being the strong one in the relationship? Have examples from the play to support.

3. What has helped Doug remain strong and supportive and able to help Curt through his tough time? Why didn't he stay irresponsible? Use examples from the play to support.

Essay Topic 2

Each piece of literature has a theme.

1. What does theme mean?

2. What is the theme of "Blue Surge"? Use examples from the play to support.

3. Was Gilman affective in portraying her theme? Is there anything she could have done differently that would have impacted the theme in a positive way? What would have impacted the theme in a negative way? Use examples from the play to support.

Essay Topic 3

Curt is desperate to help Sandy have a different life and career even after she has told him that she doesn't want to change and has returned to prostitution. He thinks she does what she does because she has had a stroke of bad luck but can change things for the better.

1. Is Sandy a prostitute because she has had bad luck? What luck has caused her to travel down the road of prostitution? Does she ever show any desire to be something else? Use examples from the play to support.

2. What is Curt's motivation behind his desperate attempt to get her out of prostitution? Is he selfless or selfish? Have examples from the book to support.

3. Could Sandy change her lifestyle if she wanted to? What are some things that Sandy would be able to do that would earn her as much money? Be sure to support your answers with examples from the play.

(see the answer keys)

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