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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 talk to Norman before he leaves?
(a) To ask him to take her to town before he leaves.
(b) To ask him to do something about the spider.
(c) She doesn't catch him before he's gone.
(d) To suggest he wear a raincoat.

2. Who is with Chelsea?
(a) Bill.
(b) Charlie.
(c) No one.
(d) Her best friend from high school.

3. Why does Ethel suggest Chelsea talk to her father and clear up their relationship?
(a) That he is getting old and won't be around much longer.
(b) That Norman mentioned that he hope Chelsea would talk to him about that.
(c) Ethel does not make a suggestion to Chelsea; she wouldn't interfere like that.
(d) That Norman is in an especially good mood having had Billy around.

4. For what does Chelsea apologize?
(a) Chelsea apologizes for her part in their feud.
(b) For foisting Billy off on them for awhile.
(c) For not giving Norman a chance to drive the rental car.
(d) For returning to the cottage without calling first.

5. How does Norman talk as he and Billy head to the boat?
(a) In whispers so as not to scare the loons awake.
(b) Singing a song about a wily catfish.
(c) In slang like Billy.
(d) He doesn't talk and tells Billy not to so as to not alert the fish.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Norman take Ethel's suggestion?

2. How does Ethel respond to Norman's comment?

3. How does Chelsea pass off Billy and Norman's fishing activities?

4. Who doubts what he says he saw?

5. What does Ethel worry about regarding Norman and Billy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does this opening scene suggest about the relationship between Norman and Billy?

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

3. What does Norman tell Ethel she shouldn't do in front of Chelsea and her boyfriend and how does this brief exchange between Norman and Ethel demonstrate a difference in their personality?

4. What does Ethel do after Norman and Billy leave?

5. Describe the two fishermen's interaction as they leave for the dock.

6. How, at this point in the play, is Billy's relationship with Norman different from that of Chelsea with her father, Norman?

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

8. Referring back to your answer in question #25, venture a guess as to why Chelsea's boyfriends were timid around Norman.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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