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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 kind of mask is Mr. Nickles supposed to wear?

2. The Messengers bring Sarah into the house, dirty and bruised. Where has she been?

3. Zuss wonders if J.B. knows that he is a(n) ______ in the story.

4. What does Sarah want the children, at dinner, to do more thoroughly?

5. Some people say that J.B. is lucky, but J.B. attributes his "luck" to what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the group of women and the young girl do when they first arrive on the stage?

2. How does Sarah compare J.B. and the children's views of blessings?

3. Who is Zophar?

4. Why does J.B. tell Sarah not to ask each child if they thanked God?

5. What thematic statement is made by the actions in Scene 10?

6. What is Sarah holding in her hand when she returns to J.B., and why?

7. How does Scene 2 reinforce the idea that this play, and the biblical story, are allegories?

8. What does the debate over whether J.B. knows he is an actor suggest?

9. How does Sarah suggest that she and J.B. see into the darkness on the other side of the door?

10. Who is Mr. Zuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using specific examples to support your answer, discuss how the different characters handle, and believe in, suffering. Compare and contrast at least three different characters.

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of light and stars in the play? What do they symbolize? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Who are the Three Comforters and what viewpoints do they represent? Support your answer with specific examples from the play.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 722 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample