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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 the character in #67 begin to pick fights?

2. Tobias could not force the cat to _________________.

3. Who is questioning Agnes as Act 2, Scene 1 opens?

4. How old is Agnes?

5. Julia thinks that Tobias's attempts to talk to Doug would be ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Agnes and Tobias's daughter, Julia, coming home again?

2. What is the state of Agnes and Tobias's marriage?

3. What shocking news does Harry share with Tobias in private?

4. What is the topic that supersedes Agnes's obsession with madness?

5. What does Agnes feel about Claire and how is that reflected in their communications?

6. What is Julia looking for from Tobias?

7. Who does Julia direct her anger toward next?

8. Who emerges as the voice of reason and calm in Act 2, Scene 1?

9. What does Agnes instinctively know about her guests and the chaos currently in her home?

10. Why are Tobias and Agnes pleased to have Harry and Edna leave their home in the end?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The play seems to come full circle from Agnes's musings about going mad in the beginning of the play, to the end where Agnes says that people sleep at night because they are afraid of the darkness. ''They say we sleep to let the demons out--to let the mind go raving mad. . . . And when the daylight comes again . . . comes order with it.'' Is Agnes satisfied with the order of things as the play ends? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the play's title. What did the author mean by calling the play A DELICATE BALANCE? Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Alcohol takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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