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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. What does Ethel suggest Charlie do?

2. Where are the bedrooms in this house?

3. What is Ethel's response to Charlie's offer?

4. Why does Norman pick up the telephone?

5. Why do Chelsea and her boyfriend leave young Billy with Norman and Ethel Thayer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe Norman Thayer, the first character on the set.

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

3. What other elderly couple is mentioned in this scene and what does Ethel say about them?

4. Describe what happens when Norman uses the phone.

5. Though Norman makes no blatant prejudiced statements about Jews, what he does say implies his bigotry. In your own words, what statements seem to suggest that Norman is prejudiced against Jewish people?

6. When does Norman become interested in Chelsea's letter and why might that be?

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

8. What does Ethel say about the neighbors and what is Norman's response?

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

10. The fact that Norman attempts to get Charlie to discuss baseball foreshadows several other times that Norman uses baseball to hide his discomfort in carrying on meaningful conversations, particularly concerning Chelsea. What is foreshadowing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In a play, setting is an integral part of the entire story. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Describe the setting at the opening of the play.

2). How do you think the setting contributes to the play?

3). What clues does the setting offer about the characters?

4). What would you think about the owners of a house if you walked into such a setting?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 1, Scene 2, Charlie is again mentioned; in fact, he arrives at the door. Choose one of the following and write a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Compare and contrast Charlie with Bill.

2). Charlie could be said to be a foil to Bill. What does that term mean and how might it be true of Charlie? Give specific examples.

3). Charlie might be said to be an archetype of "the boy next door." Explain in detail the term archetype. Give examples as to why Charlie could be considered an archetype of "the boy next door."

(see the answer keys)

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