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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 is being broadcast on the radio as the scene begins?

2. What character is sleeping as the play begins?

3. Why does Susan think she can't create good ads?

4. How many times does Susan shoot her gun into the ceiling?

5. Who is the author of this play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the setting for Act 1, Scene 1 and who are the first two characters to appear?

2. What is the significance of the word "plenty" as Susan mentions the party food?

3. How does the author use the symbol of the barrage balloon to show Susan's boredom?

4. What is the purpose of the meeting with Susan, Darwin and Brock?

5. What is the symbolism of Lamar's reference to sound waves?

6. What does Susan tell Brock about her relationship with Tony?

7. How does Act 2, Scene 8 begin?

8. What is the setting for Act 2, Scene 10?

9. Why is Susan's exaggerated mention of the Suez Canal incident so significant?

10. How does the author end the scene so that the first scene of the play now makes sense?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of married women in the 1950s. Conversely, what is the role of unmarried women in the 1950s? What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? Do they have any freedoms that 21st century women do not have?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Alice. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one theme in the play. Identify at least two themes in the play. Then cite an example to support each theme.

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