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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Robert compare his creativity to?
(a) Jumping onto a train.
(b) Falling asleep in bed.
(c) Walking down the street.
(d) Sitting on a geyser.

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

3. What does Claire think about Hal's suggestion to check the proof?
(a) Claire thinks his suggestions is terrible--how could Catherine possibly recite the proof from memory?
(b) Claire thinks his suggestion is excellent--no one will be able to validate the authoship better than Robert.
(c) Claire thinks his suggestion is terrible--she does not have time to go to trial.
(d) Claire thinks his suggestion is excellent--who better to check the proof than mathematicians who knew Robert?

4. What is Catherine's explanation as to why she wrote the proof?
(a) She does not claim to have written the proof.
(b) She was depressed because she had to quit school and move home, and decided she could learn the math herself.
(c) She was jealous of Robert and vowed that she could come up with something better.
(d) She was so excited about math and life that the ideas could not be stopped.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the lighting cue at the end of the scene?

2. When does Act 2, Scene 3 take place?

3. What is she paying for tuition?

4. Where does Robert joke that Chicago beer comes from?

5. What object does Claire give to Hal before he leaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Robert examining in the proof?

2. When did Catherine write the proof?

3. What does Claire think is the problem with mathematicians in emotional situations?

4. Why is Robert so excited about working?

5. Why was Hal the first person to whom Catherine showed the proof?

6. How does Catherine meet Hal?

7. Is Robert upset that Catherine plans to leave? Why or why not?

8. Does Claire believe that Catherine wrote the proof? Why or why not?

9. Why has Robert decided to write on the porch?

10. Did Hal intentionally take advantage of Catherine when they slept together?

(see the answer keys)

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