View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what ethnic group does Norman seem prejudiced?

2. What does Norman do when Ethel and Charlie are discussing Chelsea?

3. How old was Miss Appley on her last birthday?

4. Who has visited Charlie recently?

5. How old is Norman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting at the opening of this scene.

2. Give a brief synopsis of Ethel and Charlie's conversation and what the author may be showing through this conversation.

3. Who is the elderly couple in the play and where are they arriving at the opening of the play?

4. What question does Norman ask Charlie and what is the implication of Charlie's answer?

5. Who visits Norman and Ethel and what do they leave there?

6. Another bit of conversation at the end of this scene is indicative of a recurrent theme of this play. Describe the conversation and briefly say what the theme is you think it is bringing up.

7. What is both a foreshadowing and a "frame" for the play that occurs at the end of this scene?

8. Give a brief description of the setting at the opening of the play.

9. What picture does Norman pick up and what is the story behind it?

10. Describe what happens when Norman uses the phone.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 1, Scene 3, young Billy Ray is introduced and hits if off immediately with Norman, who has a somewhat strained relationship with his own daughter, Chelsea. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Why do you think Norman seems more relaxed and open to Billy Ray versus Chelsea?

2). Do you think Norman would have preferred a son rather than a daughter? Why?

3). Do you think most couples hope for a son as first born or at least having a son to carry on the family name?

4). How do you think the natural inclination for many couples to want at least one son has on the psychological health of daughters?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 1, Scene 2, throughout the entire discussion about Chelsea, Norman is attempting to discuss baseball with Charlie who seems more interested in Chelsea. Choose one of the following to write a coherent essay with detailed examples:

1). Compare and contrast Ethel's willingness to discuss and reveal feelings versus Norman's reluctance to do so. Is the difference between them a general difference between men and women?

2). Compare and contrast Charlie and Norman's personalities. How similar do you think Charlie and Norman would be as fathers?

3). Write about the three times Norman attempts to discuss baseball when others are trying to have more significant conversations with him. The three persons are first Charlie, then Bill and finally Chelsea.

Essay Topic 3

Two people mentioned in Act 1, Scene 1, are Miss Appley and Miss Tate who are both in their nineties. Ethel implies that these two have been romantically involved for many decades. This play was written in the 1970s, which means Miss Appley and Miss Tate probably became lovers in the early part of the 1900s. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). How difficult do you think it was for the two women to have a relationship in the early part of the 20th century?

2). What do you think the attitude of each of their parents was when it became obvious that the two women were not going to marry men?

3). How would you feel if Miss Appley and Miss Tate were your next door neighbors?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,180 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample