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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. What does Norman do after each fishing trip with Billy?

3. For what does Billy go into the kitchen?

4. What happened in Brussels with Bill and Chelsea?

5. What surprises Billy about the lake cottage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the first interaction between Ethel and Chelsea when they are alone.

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

3. 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.

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

5. How does the way Ethel behaves in helping Norman and Billy get off to the lake demonstrate an aspect of her personality?

6. What does Norman tell Ethel she shouldn't do in front of Chelsea and her boyfriend and how does this brief exchange between Norman and Ethel demonstrate a difference in their personality?

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

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the very first things the reader becomes aware of is that a probable theme of this play is the idea of aging and its inherent problems. Answer the following questions in a coherent essay using detailed examples from the entire play:

1.) Who is most obviously failing, probably as a result of age?

2.) What is the main problem Norman is having at the opening of the play?

3.) How common is memory problems among people in their late 70s and older?

4.) Are there ways to combat memory problems? What are they?

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 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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