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. James turns around and asks Sarah if she likes being a ____________, in an effort to stop what she is doing.

2. Where is Sarah during the last lesson of the day that James has to take care of before leaving?

3. Because Sarah spoke poorly, people thought she was ______________, so she stopped.

4. Sarah does think that she and James should ______________ so that he can continue to teach.

5. Sarah tells James that if he doesn't _________ a little faster, their session will be over.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Sarah like listening to music, as she confesses to James during the scene?

2. What does Sarah sign to James during the first scene as they are having an argument?

3. What does Orin inform Sarah of as she is walking beside him during the scene?

4. Who enters the room with Sarah Norman after Orin finds success with his speech?

5. Why is James the only one who knows to answer the telephone when it begins to ring?

6. What does James accuse Sarah of when she refuses to let James translate her speech for her?

7. What does Sarah do when she realizes she needs help with the menu at the restaurant?

8. Who is at the bridge party at the beginning of the first scene of Act 2?

9. Why is Lydia watching the television with the sound turned completely up at James' house?

10. What does Sarah reject at the next meeting she has set up with the lawyer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

James is insistent that Sarah learn how to speak so that she can interact with the world in a more effective way.

Part 1: Why do you think James wants Sarah to speak more? What are his motivations?

Part 2: Do you think that James would still be happy with Sarah if she never learned to speak?

Part 3: Do you think that Sarah wants to learn how to speak? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Though the deaf and the hearing worlds are divided in this play, they also have moments where they overlap.

Part 1: Do you think it's realistic that Sarah and James would go on a date together?

Part 2: Do you think that a deaf person and a hearing person could live together? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think there is still a struggle for separateness in this play?

Essay Topic 3

What's interesting to many about this play is that while it might seem more reasonable to portray the deaf community as being flawless, these characters are not shown in the best of light.

Part 1: Why do you think some authors believe it easier to portray those with handicaps as being without fault?

Part 2: Do you think the deaf characters are portrayed realistically in this play? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the deaf community might respond to the deaf characters in this play? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample