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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Henry note that it is good that men do not know how to fly?
(a) They would dive to earth.
(b) If they did they would damage and dirty the clouds and the air.
(c) They would run into one another in the air.
(d) They would hurt the birds in the sky.

2. What do both Henry and Waldo do simultaneously?
(a) Henry tells his students he must follow the curriculum, as Waldo tells the congregation he will preach to the Unitarian principles.
(b) Henry argues with Ball, as Waldo argues with his wife.
(c) Henry resigns from teaching, as Waldo resigns as a Unitarian Minister.
(d) Henry teaches new courses and Waldo speaks at a different Unitarian Church.

3. Who is the old man who enters with his wife?
(a) Henry David Thoreau.
(b) Ralph Waldo Emerson.
(c) Edward Emerson.
(d) John Thoreau.

4. Why is Henry visibly frustrated with himself?
(a) Ellen does not love John as he thought.
(b) Ellen rejects him.
(c) His rowing scares Ellen.
(d) His intensity frightens Ellen away.

5. Why does Henry not hug Ellen?
(a) He is embarrassed.
(b) He is afraid she will cringe.
(c) Out of a sense of propriety.
(d) He does not like her.

6. On what do John and Henry then agree?
(a) They will remain celibate until they are 90 and 92 years old, at which time they will both pursue Ellen.
(b) They will both get married as soon as possible to forget about Ellen.
(c) They will begin their cult and marry as many women as possible.
(d) They will stay celibate for the rest of their lives.

7. What is Transcendentalism?
(a) A person's thoughts or emotions that transcend or rise above their external perceptions.
(b) The belief in karma, nirvana, and reincarnation.
(c) A Christian denomination, similar to the Methodist faith.
(d) A way of traveling from one continent to another.

8. Why does Ellen offer to leave?
(a) She is failing the course.
(b) She is the only girl.
(c) She has not paid tuition.
(d) Her father does not want her in the school.

9. Why does Ellen not marry John?
(a) She loves Henry.
(b) She is too young.
(c) She does not love him.
(d) Her father objects.

10. What does Waldo tell Lydian will be interesting?
(a) Having a outspoken repairperson.
(b) Having a Transcendentalist repairperson.
(c) Having an odd repairperson.
(d) Having a Harvard-educated repairperson.

11. Why is the lighting on the empty areas of the set weak?
(a) To suggest a dream.
(b) To suggest winter.
(c) The lights are broken.
(d) To suggest old age.

12. To what does Henry compare time?
(a) To the sun.
(b) To a river.
(c) To a road.
(d) To sand.

13. For what does Henry propose to work?
(a) A small garden in the back property.
(b) A small Salary.
(c) Food.
(d) A piece of Waldo's property in the woods, so that he can conduct an "experiment."

14. What do Henry and Bailey see outside the window of the cell?
(a) The constable.
(b) Their neighbors.
(c) The keys.
(d) A drunk staggering around.

15. Why is Henry seized with a new feeling of love for Ellen?
(a) She says she loves him.
(b) She actually understands Transcendentalism
(c) She weeps over John's coffin.
(d) She comforts him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why will Henry not give money to the government?

2. In what town is the play set?

3. Waldo, who is clearly quite old, is losing his senses, mistakes what for a person?

4. Why is Deacon Ball, the Chair of the Concord School Committee, shocked at what Henry has been discussing with his class?

5. In another area of the stage, Henry's mother is visibly upset. What does she ask Henry?

(see the answer keys)

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