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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. How do the sisters feel about Uncle Jack while he is in the leper colony?

2. How old is Michael when this story takes place?

3. How does Gerry Evans get to Ballybeg?

4. What does Gerry Evans think the radio is when he hears it?

5. What is the first thing the Mundys listen to on the radio?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Agnes blows Michael a kiss, she says it was the wrong thing to do. Why would it be the wrong thing to do?

2. How does Kate explain Uncle Jack's strange behavior?

3. What does Maggie notice about the pack of cigarettes Kate brought her, and why is it significant?

4. Why do you think the opening tableau shows Uncle Jack in his "resplendent" uniform, which is out of place in the play's action?

5. What is the difference between the way Kate dances and the dance of the other sisters?

6. Why do you think the parish priest doesn't want to look Kate in the eye since Uncle Jack came home?

7. Why do you think Rose can describe the Festival of Lughnasa to her sisters?

8. What is Maggie's reaction to hearing that her old friend Bernie O'Donnell is in town, and why does she react this way?

9. What does Maggie release for Michael to see?

10. How has Chris brought shame upon the Mundy family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Rose is lost, the hierarchy within the group of sisters changes. Who is usually in charge and who takes over during the emergency? Using quotations from the play, explain this dynamic and tell why you think the change took place.

Essay Topic 2

The radio, "Marconi," has "killed all Christian conversation in this country," according to Kate. It has certainly had a powerful effect on the lives of the Mundy family. Analyze the effect of the radio on the lives of this family. Use examples from the script in your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

The passage of time is a theme in this story. When Maggie says, "Lughnasa's almost over, girls. There aren't going to be many warm evenings left." She may be talking of more than the weather for that season. Based on what you learn of future events, what are the "warm evenings," and how are they lost?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 918 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample