View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to J.T. at the beginning of Play Six, who sometimes takes the shape of a channel catfish?

2. What happens in Lawrenceburg, Kansas in Play Five, God's Great Supper?

3. When Talbert and his men retreat to the river during their first battle in Play Five, what happens to Talbert?

4. Why is Rebecca Talbert unhappy with Patrick Rowen at the beginning of Play Three, The Homecoming?

5. Why does Richard want Jed to join his troops?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how Tommy helps Abe get hired at the mines in Scene Two of Play Seven.

2. How does the mining accident in Scene Nine of Play Seven influence Mary Anne's opinion about the union?

3. How do the stories J.T. tells at supper in Scene Two of Play Six, Tall Tales, indicate he does not always tell the truth.

4. Who is Mother Jones in Play Seven?

5. What does Michael Rowen mean when he tells Morning Star he learns early that blood is the "coin of the realm"?

6. What deal does Tommy make with Andrew in Scene Eight of Play Seven and why does he make it?

7. What character flaw do Patrick Rowen and his father Michael share and what dark act does it lead each of them to commit?

8. Why does Jed Rowen agree to join the Confederate Army with Richard Talbert?

9. Discuss Joshua's dream at the beginning of Play Nine and what it symbolizes.

10. Why are Mary Anne and Tommy willing to take Abe Steinman in as a boarder, even though he is a stranger and involved with the union?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast three of the following African American characters from The Kentucky Cycle: Sallie Biggs, Jessie Biggs, Cassius Biggs, Sureta Biggs, and Franklin Biggs. Do the African American characters face different challenges than the Caucasian characters do throughout the cycle? Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

The Kentucky Cycle contains a number of instances of irony. Cite three examples of irony in the plays and discuss what you think the author intends to convey with each example.

Essay Topic 3

The Kentucky Cycle by Robert Schenkkhan begins during the rugged frontier era. What do you think Schenkkan is saying about frontier life and the men and women who find our country through the frontier-era plays: Play One, Masters of the Trade; Play Two, The Courtship of Morning Star; and Play Three, The Homecoming? Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,209 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample