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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. After Max criticizes Sam about his contributions to the family, what does Sam suggest that Max do?

2. After Ruth tells Lenny where she was born, where does Max tell Joey he needs to go?

3. What does Sam do when Max collapses after verbally abusing Ruth?

4. When Max sees Ruth for the first time, what does he ask Teddy?

5. Ruth reveals to Lenny that she was born where?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Max's initial reaction to Ruth.

2. What is Ruth's response to Teddy's urging her to pack up and go home with him?

3. What does Max tell Teddy about Teddy and Ruth's wedding?

4. For what does Max criticize Sam when Sam is in the kitchen?

5. As Act Two opens, what positive and negative comments does Max make about his late wife?

6. Act One, scene 3 begins the morning after Teddy and Ruth have arrived; what characters have not yet met Ruth?

7. What does Joey do in his uncle's defense when Max criticizes Sam?

8. What similarity is there between Teddy and Ruth's family and Max and Jessie's family?

9. What is Teddy's response to Ruth's question about whether the family has read any of his works?

10. By the end of the first act, which characters has Max abused both verbally and physically?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the shocking information Sam reveals near the end of the play and explain the implications of what he tells the family. Explain what evidence there is in the play that Max may have already known this information.

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 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample