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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. When the isolated affected people in Father Flynn's opening sermon ask God for help, what is His reply?

2. Why is Sister James late to Sister Aloysius' office for her meeting with Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius?

3. Who takes sugar in their tea during the meeting between Sister Aloysius, Father Flynn, and Sister James?

4. Where does Sister James say Father Flynn took Donald Muller alone?

5. In Scene 2, what does Sister Aloysius ask Sister James to do when Sister Veronica is on the stone stairs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Sister Aloysius' work with the rosebush similar to her work at the school?

2. Why does Sister Aloysius say that it makes sense for Father Flynn to take interest in Donald Muller?

3. In Scene 4, why is Sister Aloysius trying to protect the rosebush from frost even though there hasn't been any frost?

4. In Scene 2, what is Sister Aloysius talking about when she asks: what good is a gift when it is left in the box?

5. In Scene 4, why does Sister Aloysius say that she cannot live her life in innocence?

6. What does Father Flynn tell the boys is different about shooting from the foul line versus the rest of the basketball game?

7. Why does Father Flynn compare the sailor's despair to a crisis of faith?

8. Why does Father Flynn say it is dangerous to think at the foul line?

9. What is Father Flynn's relationship with the boys on the basketball team like?

10. In Scene 1, why does Father Flynn say a private calamity is worse than a public one?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Doubt: A Parable contains several instances of symbolism, such as Father Flynn's fingernails, the crows harassing Father Flynn, the pruning of the rosebush, etc. Choose two symbols from the play. Discuss what each of them represents and provide evidence from the play.

Essay Topic 2

Why does the author use the narrative technique of parables more than once in the play? What purpose does this repetition serve? Why is the play itself a parable? What characteristics of a parable does it have and what is the intended lesson?

Essay Topic 3

Sister Aloysius is both the protagonist and antagonist of the play. Write an essay discussing how she fits both of these roles. Provide examples from the play.

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