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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. What does Lenny say he did to the old woman instead of helping her?

2. Who told Lenny earlier that his father is going to get a surprise in the morning?

3. Where does Ruth tell Lenny she and Teddy live?

4. What does Sam say to Max about why Sam helped take care of Jessie?

5. After addressing Lenny's concern about not being able to sleep, who does Teddy ask Lenny about?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Max respond to Lenny's question about his conception?

2. What is the relationship between Max and Rose and what two other characters have the same relationship?

3. Explain how Sam feels about his performance at work.

4. What evidence do we have that Max dominates his brother Sam, as well as his own sons?

5. What does Max mean when he uses the phrase "one flow of stinking pus after another?"

6. Why does Lenny say he is angry at Ruth for calling him by his full name, Leonard?

7. When Max comes downstairs complaining of noise, what kind of an explanation does Lenny give?

8. Describe Max's attitude toward his brother Sam.

9. What does Lenny ask his father about the night he was conceived?

10. When Teddy arrives at his family's home, what does he find unchanged?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Teddy's acceptance of the photograph of his grandfather. Explain when the incident takes place and give two interpretations of why the playwright might have included this incident.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Ruth and Jessie, particularly in respect to Max's varying attitude toward each woman.

Essay Topic 3

Teddy wants his family's respect, however, he fails to stand up for himself as a husband. What explanation can be given for the way he simply stands by and lets Ruth be convinced to stay with his family? What, if anything, does Teddy do to try to get Ruth to leave with him? What does this say about Teddy and Ruth's relationship? What does it say about their character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 546 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample