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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 does Ermina’s leg shake in Act Two, Scene 2?

2. What accessory for Ernestine’s graduation dress do Lily and Gerte disagree about?

3. What does Lily say is a “sign” (32)?

4. Why does Ernestine not want to go to the movies with Gerte?

5. Where do the Crump family sit at the Peace Mission?

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect does Ernestine say Gerte has on Ermina?

2. How does Ernestine describe the Crump family’s routine?

3. What does Gerte say and do to indicate she is trying to fit in when she meets Ermina and Ernestine?

4. What is the relationship between Gerte and Ernestine like?

5. What are Lily’s views on race and fashion?

6. What are Lily and Gerte’s differing views on race?

7. Why does Lily handle the flooding in the yard alone?

8. How does Gerte respond when Ermina asks her if she was a Nazi?

9. What comparisons does Ernestine make between the food and religious belief?

10. How does Ermina describe the teasing from the other girls about Gerte?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the central characters, Lily, overtly expresses a political affiliation with the Communist Party, influencing at least one of her nieces, much to her father’s chagrin. Write an essay examining the role that politics plays in the play.

Essay Topic 2

After the death of Sandra, the remaining members of the Crump family are left with only memories of their wife, sister, and mother, and Godfrey has adopted an obsessive habit of note taking to help him remember his thoughts. Write an essay examining the role that memory plays in the play.

Essay Topic 3

When their mother dies, sisters Ernestine and Ermina are left without a primary role model at a critical stage in their development. In part, their aunt Lily justifies her presence in their household as her responsibility to fill the void left by Sandra. Write an essay examining the influence Lily has on her nieces.

(see the answer keys)

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