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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 book does Norman suggest that Billy read?

2. With what language is Norman helping Billy?

3. About what does Bill say Chelsea warned him before their arrival?

4. How does Chelsea greet her mother?

5. What do Bill and Norman talk about mostly at the beginning of their conversation?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the interaction between Norman and Billy Ray in this introductory scene demonstrate the probability that their relationship will be different from the one that Chelsea experienced with her father when she was young?

2. What regret does Norman express and what may that regret foreshadow?

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

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

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

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

7. Give a brief synopsis of the conversation Chelsea and Ethel have about Norman as Chelsea just arrives.

8. What do you think this first interaction that you described in question #31 implies?

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

10. Describe the opening scene in Act 2, Scene 1.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In the opening to Act 1, Scene 3, Norman comments to Ethel that Chelsea is now past her childbearing years and never had a child. Choose one of the following to write a coherent essay with detailed examples:

1). For many centuries, women were considered property, or at the very least, someone to produce a male heir for the family line. Write an essay briefing describing the change in status of women in your home country over the past three centuries.

2). Is woman's most important function that of producing children? Write an essay about how women who have chosen to remain childless are viewed in your culture; give specific examples. Give your personal opinion also.

3). Along with the idea of childbearing is the controversy of the right to choose an abortion. Write an essay taking a stance using detailed examples to support your stance.

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)

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