View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Agnes's sister?

2. Who overhears what Agnes has been saying about Claire?

3. Who enters the room and joins in the current conversation?

4. Claire apologizes to Agnes for bringing out such ____________ in Agnes.

5. What has Agnes given away in Act 2, Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Julia say to Tobias in retaliation for his comment about her failed marriages?

2. How does Julia serve as the tipping point for Tobias's tolerance?

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

4. How does Claire retaliate against Tobias for asking her about Alcoholics Anonymous?

5. How old are Agnes and Tobias?

6. How have Harry and Edna behaved since they have arrived at Agnes and Tobias's house?

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

8. What announcements does Edna make regarding the bedroom?

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

10. How does Agnes exhibit that she is so out of tune with her daughter's distress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alcohol abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 2

Agnes seems to be the character who maintains the delicate balance in the play. How does Agnes do this? What is her internal code? What does Agnes do when things seem in danger or reaching a tipping point? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 529 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample