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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. Why does Sallie come in?

2. On what does little Billy begin playing?

3. What does Robert do as the act ends?

4. What is Sallie careful not to acknowledge?

5. After Higgins and Norwood leave, who enters again?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is happening outside? What does Bert do?

2. What happens as Talbot enters?

3. How does Bert try to justify his position?

4. What do Cora, William, and Bert discuss?

5. Who does Bert know will be coming? What are his plans?

6. How does the argument quickly escalate?

7. What does Norwood do when he enters the room?

8. What does Norwood tell Bert, regarding his behavior compared to the others?

9. What does William do when he arrives?

10. How does Bert respond this time? What is Cora's advice to him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bert commits suicide.

Part 1) Why does he commit suicide? What other options did he have?

Part 2) Could he have survived? Why or why not?

Part 3) What is the purpose of Bert's death? What message is the author trying to convey to the reader or audience member?

Essay Topic 2

Act 2, Scene 2 contains much of the play's action.

Part 1) Describe this action. What leads up to this action?

Part 2) What is the outcome of this action? Could this outcome have been different? How? Why?

Part 3) How does this scene engage the audience? Are you surprised by this action? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Bet kills Norwood?

Part 1) Why? How? How does Bert feel about his actions?

Part 2) What foreshadowed this event? Are you surprised by this event? Why or why not?

Part 3) How might audiences in the 1930s have reacted to this? How might audiences today react? Compare and contrast their reactions.

(see the answer keys)

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