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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 Helena work?

2. How old are both Cliff and Jimmy?

3. What is Jimmy listening to on the radio?

4. What does Cliff think will cheer them all up?

5. Alison says Jimmy's eyes are full of _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jimmy fall out with Hugh?

2. How does Alison react when Helena tells her she has wired her father?

3. In what way does the Colonel think Jimmy is right in his criticism?

4. Describe the three main characters.

5. What realization does Helena come to in this section?

6. In what way does Helena's statement that Jimmy would feel more comfortable with things during the French Revolution sum up Jimmy as a person?

7. How does Alison think Jimmy will react to her pregnancy?

8. In what way do the characters have fun in Act Three, Scene Three?

9. How does Alison react to her father's apology?

10. Why is Jimmy always the last to know about everything?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Osborne use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of 1950's Britain.

1) Why was the issue of class such an important issue at that time?

2) In what ways are the characters' negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think Britain was going through a transitional phase in the 1950's? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with 1950's Britain?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the play.

1) How does Osbourne use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the play's themes?

3) Away from the main character, examine the way Osborne uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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