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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 Father Flynn tell Sister James he avoids Donald Muller?

2. What is Mrs. Muller's response when Sister Aloysius says Father Flynn is after the boys?

3. What does Father Flynn say has been damaged through no fault of his own as he talks to Sister James in Scene 7?

4. What does Sister Aloysius confess to Sister James that she did not do?

5. Where did Father O'Rourke tell the woman to take a pillow?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the second part of Scene 8, what does Father Flynn say is the real reason Sister Aloysius is after him?

2. In Father Flynn's sermon, what does Father O'Rourke tell the gossipy woman she should be particularly ashamed of?

3. What happened to Father Flynn after he left St. Nicholas?

4. Why is does Mrs. Muller say that regardless of what Donald's trouble is at the school, he only needs to make it through until June?

5. What does Father Flynn seem to be most worried about if Sister Aloysius makes her accusations against him public?

6. In Scene 7, why does Father Flynn say that the truth makes for a poor sermon?

7. In Scene 7, why does Father Flynn say Sister Aloysius doesn't really care about the children?

8. What reason does Father Flynn give Sister James for his not wanting to defend himself against Sister Aloysius' accusations?

9. Why does Father O'Rourke tell the gossipy woman to take a pillow to the roof in Father Flynn's sermon?

10. What causes the woman in Father Flynn's sermon to feel guilty about gossiping?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Father Flynn's views on doubt, as seen is his sermon on doubt delivered in Scene 1, differ from the actual consequences of doubt as shown through the actions of the play? Use specific examples from the play to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

The nature of the church's teachings play a role in this play even though they are never overtly discussed. Father Flynn's and Sister James' views on how students ought to be taught vary considerably from Sister Aloysius' views. Write an essay discussing how each of the teachers feel about the way students should be treated, how the rules should be followed, and whether or not the secular world should be included.

Essay Topic 3

Parables are used in a number of ways throughout the play. We see them in the sermons Father Flynn delivers and in the play itself. Describe what a parable is, identify at least two parables and the lessons they teach that were given in sermons during the play, and discuss how the play itself fits the model of a parable. What lesson is the play intended to teach?

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