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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Tillie offer to do when there is a medical emergency in the home?

2. According to Miss Hanley, Beatrice is:

3. In Act 2, Beatrice tries to contact the following persons in her first telephone call:

4. What is Beatrice's reaction to the medical emergency that takes place at the end of Act 2?

5. Which of the following characters is not at home in Act 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of triumph in the face of adversity in Zindel's play.

a) Which character overcomes adversity? In what way is this achieved?

b) Give examples of some of the obstacles that this character faces throughout the course of the play.

c) What can be attributed to this character's ability to overcome adversity? How does this person cope and ultimately prevail despite difficult circumstances?

Essay Topic 2

Loneliness and isolation are a recurrent theme in Zindel's play. How is this theme developed in Act 1 and Act 2?

a) Analyze the play's setting, the Hunsdorfers' home. In what ways does it reinforce the theme of loneliness and isolation?

b) Analyze the characters of Beatrice, Tillie, Ruth, and Nanny. How is each one afflicted with loneliness and isolation?

Essay Topic 3

There are several characters whose names are mentioned at certain points in time, but do not appear physically in the scenes (for example, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Berg, Miss Hanley, and Nanny's daughter). Discuss the ways in which these characters serve to further the play's overall plot and themes.

(see the answer keys)

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