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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. Where does Lenny tell Ruth he thinks Teddy has been?

2. When Lenny gets flustered, what does Ruth do?

3. What do Lenny and Max bicker about?

4. Why does Max say that when Sam gets married, he should bring his bride home?

5. How is Joey related to Max?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Lenny first greets his brother, why does the conversation involve a clock?

4. Just after they arrive at the house, what does Teddy reassure Ruth about?

5. After Lenny tells Ruth the story about a violent act he once committed, what story does he then tell Ruth about about an old woman?

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

7. Max threatens violence toward his son Lenny at different points in the play; give one example.

8. What does Max say about his understanding of female horses?

9. The first time Lenny is alone with Ruth, what kinds of personal information does he share with her?

10. What story Lenny tells Ruth after he has asked to hold her hand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Max is a poor example of a father, he seems to know what a father should be. Discuss some specific examples of his fathering skills and explain what proof exists in the play that he seems to understand what makes for a good father. Why do you think Max chooses to father in the way he does? Give examples from the play back up your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Analyze the character of Sam, giving several examples which exemplifies why, although he is a symbol of goodness in the play, he is so ineffective at trying to mediate when it comes to family squabbles.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 598 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample