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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Ethel accompany Billy upstairs to start the bath water?
(a) To give Chelsea a chance to talk to Norman.
(b) Because she is afraid Billy will make the water too warm.
(c) She stays in the living room, determined to make Norman and Chelsea talk.
(d) To give Norman a chance to fillet the fish instead of Billy.

2. What does Norman mention to Ethel at the opening of this scene?
(a) That Norman finds Ethel as attractive as the day they met.
(b) That Chelsea did not marry Charlie.
(c) That Bill Ray does not like fishing.
(d) That Chelsea is past childbearing age and is childless.

3. About what does Billy say Norman talks to him while they are out fishing?
(a) Norman tells him about girls.
(b) Norman tells him old stories.
(c) Norman tells him how to clean and fillet fish and dress deer.
(d) Billy says they don't talk much while they are out on the water.

4. How does Chelsea greet her mother?
(a) With indifference.
(b) Her mother is not there; she's gone up to change.
(c) With a demand that she make some of her special tea.
(d) Warmly.

5. Why does Ethel think it's going to rain that day?
(a) She heard two old men discussing it in the town.
(b) She heard the loons singing about it the night before.
(c) She doesn't think it's going to rain for another week.
(d) The weather channel predicts rain.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Norman do after each fishing trip with Billy?

2. What do Bill and Norman talk about mostly at the beginning of their conversation?

3. What does Chelsea say about her attitude over the years?

4. Why does Ethel go to get a rake?

5. What are hanging in the living room at the opening of Act 1, Scene 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene that occurs after Charlie arrives and what theme this vignette may illustrate.

2. What do you think this first interaction that you described in question #31 implies?

3. Describe Bill's appearance and Billy and Norman returning from downstairs and how does this give readers a sense who Bill is?

4. The scene when Billy Ray is introduced gives subtle clues as to how Norman may not be quite as gruff as first appears and how Chelsea misses the clue. Elaborate on this scene.

5. How does the first interaction between Chelsea and her parents show the reader the relationship between Chelsea and each of her parents?

6. How does the way Ethel behaves in helping Norman and Billy get off to the lake demonstrate an aspect of her personality?

7. How does the interaction between Norman and Billy Ray in this introductory scene demonstrate the probability that their relationship will be different from the one that Chelsea experienced with her father when she was young?

8. What can be inferred by the fact that Norman calls Billy by the name Chelsea from time to time?

9. Describe the interaction between Norman and Bill after the others have gone outside.

10. Describe Ethel's concern and role in that day's fishing venture.

(see the answer keys)

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