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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 color are Ella's gloves?

2. What does Weston run into in Act One?

3. What type of shoes is Welsey wearing at the beginning of Act One?

4. What leads to dying, according to Emma?

5. What ailment does the animal that Wesley brings into the kitchen have?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Emma fit into her picture of Taylor and Ella in Mexico?

2. Why is crime the perfect self-employment for Emma?

3. Why does Weston not let Emma do his laundry?

4. How does Weston recognize the "poison" on his outlook?

5. Why is Emma looking for her jodhpurs?

6. According to Weston, what is the trouble with too much comfort?

7. What does Wesley compare Taylor buying their house to in Act Two?

8. Why does Wesley want to go to Alaska?

9. Where does Emma think Taylor and Ella went in Act Two?

10. What story does Weston tell the lamb in the kitchen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The real estate developer/lawyer Taylor is one of the play's minor characters, but he has a major influence on the play's main characters. Describe the influence Taylor has on each main character (Weston, Ella, Emma and Weston). Why is Taylor important to the play's plot? What, if anything, does Taylor symbolize? Use specific examples from the play in the response.

Essay Topic 2

Violence is a common theme in the play. From violence against the family from outside forces to violence within the family unit, many of the play's central events deal with violence. Explore the theme of violence in the play. How does the violence come about? Why is the violence relevant to the rest of the play? How does violence shape each of the characters? Use specific examples from the play in the response.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the play, Wesley begins to assume his father's personality and role by changing into his clothes and taking on his father's earlier attitude. Describe Wesley's transformation throughout the play, starting at the beginning when he is worried about the family and his father's reactions to the end where he takes on more of his father's personality than his own. Use specific examples from the play in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 858 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample