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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 old is Agnes?

2. The tone between Agnes and Claire can be characterized as ________________________.

3. Tobias ignores Julia's ______________.

4. To what city does Tobias say he will move because it is sunny all the time?

5. Who is Julia's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What special quality does Agnes feel she has regarding the family?

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

3. What is Julia looking for from Tobias?

4. What is the simile that Tobias uses to describe Julia's marriages?

5. What are Agnes and Tobias's main points when considering whether or not to ask Harry and Edna to leave?

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

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

8. What is the topic that Agnes ponders out loud?

9. How does Claire respond to Tobias asking her about Alcoholics Anonymous?

10. What is the setting for Act 3 and which characters are present as the scene opens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A DELICATE BALANCE is a classic escape from reality story. What does that classification entail? Why does this play fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Tobias, Agnes, Julia, Claire, Harry and Edna. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Agnes. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

(see the answer keys)

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