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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 Norman ask the phone operator to do?

2. After Ethel comes into the house, what do she and Norman do?

3. In the story that Ethel tells about when the character in question #26 was young, what was he carrying?

4. Who does Norman yell to to ask him/her to open the door?

5. What is the name of their daughter who visits them?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe what happens when Norman uses the phone.

5. What does Charlie suggest about the broken screen door; what is Ethel's reply and why do you think she responds the way she does?

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

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

8. What does Charlie say about Chelsea and children and what does this possibly reveal about Charlie as a person?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The first character the reader meets is Norman Thayer. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Describe Norman physical characteristics.

2). How does the way he is dressed and his actions help portray who he is as a personality?

3). Just from reading about him in Act 1, Scene 1, what would you think are some of his personality traits? Give specific examples for each trait you mention.

Essay Topic 2

Near the end of Act 1, Scene 3, the conversation turns to dancing and Norman expresses regret that he has never taken Ethel dancing. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). What else do you think Norman regrets in his life? Support your ideas with details from the text.

2). Do you think Ethel has any regrets? What would those be? Support your ideas with details from the text.

3). It seems clear that Chelsea has regrets, as she names a couple of them. What are they?

4). Is there any good to be had by holding regrets? What can a person do to let go of regrets?

Essay Topic 3

The next character introduced in Ethel Thayer, Norman's wife, who is about a decade younger than Norman. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Describe Ethel's appearance.

2). What has Ethel been doing and what does this say about her physical health as opposed to that of Norman's?

3). From Act 1, Scene 1, write a brief synopsis of Ethel's personality and what details support your description.

(see the answer keys)

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