View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Catherine claim she wrote the proof in one of Robert's notebook?
(a) She wanted to confuse Hal, with whom she is angry.
(b) She only writes in certain types of notebooks, which Robert happened to have.
(c) She thought she would publish the proof under his name.
(d) She bought the notebooks for him in bulk, and there were extras.

2. What does Catherine ask Robert to do, after he shows her his latest ideas in the notebook?
(a) She asks him to get the work published right away.
(b) She asks him to burn the notebook.
(c) She asks him leave and never come back.
(d) She asks him to go back inside the house.

3. What is the stage direction for Catherine reading the proof?
(a) Vivaciously, with excitement.
(b) Slowly, without inflection.
(c) Quickly and angrily.
(d) Quietly, in disbelief.

4. What time of year is it in Act 2, Scene 4?
(a) Fall.
(b) Summer.
(c) Spring.
(d) Winter.

5. At the end of the scene what doesn't Robert want Catherine to do?
(a) He does not want her to go inside.
(b) He does not want her to leave.
(c) He does not want her to go on a walk.
(d) He does not want her to stay.

6. Robert says he is satisfied with Claire, but he is _______ of/with/to Catherine?
(a) Terrified.
(b) Proud.
(c) Angry.
(d) Indifferent.

7. What does Robert say is finally working again?
(a) The machinery, or, his mathematical genius.
(b) The radiators.
(c) His television.
(d) His eyes, which have been bothering him.

8. According to Robert, if the thesis "feels done," then...
(a) It is done! Congratulations.
(b) It should be published right away.
(c) There are major errors.
(d) It should be put down for a month and then rechecked.

9. Does Hal think he can help Catherine?
(a) No, he thinks she is completely fragile and Clare should take care of her.
(b) No, he thinks only Robert can help Catherine now.
(c) Yes, he thinks he will take care of her when she moves in with him.
(d) Yes, he thinks she is tough and should have a say in whether she stays or goes.

10. Does Hal think he took advantage of Catherine by sleeping with her?
(a) Yes, but he feels guiltless because Catherine led him on.
(b) Yes, he is wracked with guilt and wants to turn himself in.
(c) No, he insists they both wanted it.
(d) No, he feels guiltless because Catherine is a shamless hussy.

11. Why does Claire resent mathematicians?
(a) She is a physicist, and the resent between the two professions runs deep.
(b) She is a writer, and believes the arts are more important than sciences.
(c) She is jealous of mathematicians' talent, and wishes she could be a mathematician herself.
(d) She feels that mathematicians do not think their actions through.

12. What does Claire do for a living?
(a) She is a teacher.
(b) She is a financial advisor.
(c) She is an actuary.
(d) She is a currency analyst.

13. Why is Catherine adamant that Robert could not have written the proof?
(a) Because, though he asked her to keep his secret, she knows that Hal wrote the proof.
(b) Because the proof is incorrect and full of errors, and Robert never made errors.
(c) Because, even during the good year when he was lucid, he was not able to do mathematics.
(d) Because she knows that Claire wrote the proof and is keeping it a secret.

14. Why does Claire give the object to Hal?
(a) She is trying to win his love.
(b) She is hiding the object from Robert.
(c) She wants to sabotage Catherine.
(d) She thinks someone needs to find out what is in it.

15. How does Hal want to check the proof?
(a) He wants Catherine to recite it to him from memory.
(b) He wants to take it to some mathematicians at the university who are all familiar with Robert and his work.
(c) He wants to sit down with Robert and have a heart to heart.
(d) He wants to present the proof as evidence in the pending trial over its authorship.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Act 2, Scene 4 take place?

2. When Claire asks Catherine to recite the proof, how does Catherine reply?

3. How far behind in school is Catherine, according to Robert?

4. Why has Catherine waited so long to inform Robert of her plans?

5. What does Robert love about bookstores in September?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 864 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample