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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. For what does Billy go into the kitchen?

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

3. What does young Billy announce when he enters the living room?

4. Why does Ethel suggest Chelsea talk to her father and clear up their relationship?

5. What slight derogatory comment does Norman make about Bill?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. 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.

7. The fact that Ethel twice suggests that Chelsea make amends with her father because he is old and will not live much longer seems to clearly be foreshadowing something. What do you think it foreshadows?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the very first scene of the play, it is already obvious that one of the themes will be daughter/father relationships. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1). Give your opinion about how you think Norman and his daughter will get along, just based upon the little that is revealed in the first scene of the play.

2). The part of the first scene where Norman looks at Chelsea's picture of her in a swimsuit as a teen is a technique called foreshadowing. What does this foreshadow? Is this an effective method to clue the reader in on some future action in the play? Why or why not.

3). Are you as a reader prepared to like Chelsea or not based on what is subtly revealed about her in this first scene? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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