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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 the only reason Susan would consider getting married?

2. What is Darwin doing at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3?

3. How does Lazar try to comfort Susan?

4. What does Susan do as Mick rants and refuses to leave the apartment?

5. Alice is painting Louise to represent ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Susan use her gun on Mick at the end of the scene?

2. What does the radio interview foreshadow in the story?

3. How does the author use the embalming symbolism to relate it to Susan?

4. What is Susan's latest plan to add some excitement to her life?

5. What is the double meaning of Lazar's statement that he recognizes Susan from somewhere?

6. Who is Alice and how did she and Susan meet?

7. What is the setting for Act 2, Scene 11 and which two characters open the scene?

8. Why is this scene so significant for Susan?

9. Why is it ironic that Susan makes derogatory comments about Darwin's outspokenness?

10. How does Act 1, Scene 7 begin?

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

In more than one instance in the play, a "mackerel sky" is cited. Explain what a mackerel sky is. Then cite the examples of how it is used in the play. What is the significance of a mackerel sky to the characters?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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