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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. According to Emma, what runs in the family?

2. According to Weston, what is the only thing the refrigerator is good for?

3. What color are Ella's gloves?

4. What is in the paper bag Wesley's father is carrying?

5. What animal does Wesley say he hears in Act One?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Emma doing at the beginning of Act Two?

2. Why is Wesley not pleased that Ella calls the cops?

3. Why does Wesley tell Weston he has to run?

4. Why does Ella tell Wesley he should not be cleaning up the debris?

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

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

7. How does Weston describe how his father lives?

8. What does Weston do to try and reconnect with his home and land in Act Three?

9. What does Emma says Ella is after with Taylor?

10. What news does Ella have about the house when she returns from meeting with Taylor in Act Two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sam Shepard's play, "Curse of the Starving Class" emphasizes the family dynamics of the main characters. Describe the family dynamics between Weston, Ella, Emma and Wesley. How does each relate to the others? What problems does the family experience? What joys and accomplishments do the family acknowledge and celebrate? How does an outside person describe the family? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of the title, "Curse of the Starving Class". How is the title relevant to the story's plot? What predictions can the reader make previous to reading the play based on the title? What deeper meaning does the title assume? Use specific examples from the play in the response.

Essay Topic 3

In examining the Tate family throughout the play, Emma seems more similar to Weston, her father, and Wesley seems more like Ella, his mother. Describe how Emma and Weston are similar and how Wesley and Ella are similar. Are these similarities expected? How does each relationship influence the plot of the play? Use specific examples in the response.

(see the answer keys)

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