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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 Claire doing with the house?

2. How did Robert die?

3. Is Catherine pleased that Hal kisses her?

4. How many notebooks did Robert leave behind?

5. Why did Hal not attempt to pursue Catherine after their initial meeting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Are Claire and Catherine very comfortable around one another?

2. What is Hal's excuse for kissing Catherine?

3. What does Catherine give to Hal that morning? Where has Catherine been keeping the object ?

4. Robert was a graphomaniac. What does that mean?

5. Describe how Catherine treats the police when they arrive.

6. Why does Hal think his papers get turned down for publication?

7. Why is Hal's entrance at the end of the scene helpful for Catherine?

8. Why is it strange that Catherine and Robert are speaking in the beginning of the first scene?

9. Why does Hal try to take the notebook?

10. What has Hal found in the locked drawer, and why is it so important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Robert and Catherine have a very unique father/daughter relationship.

1.) Describe why their relationship is different from most. Are there any role reversals?

2.) Do Claire and Robert share a similar bond, or are Catherine and Robert two peas in a pod?

3.) They each have very specific fears they voice in the play. What are these fears? How do they differ? How are they similar?

Essay Topic 2

What role does time have in the play? How does the playwright use time loosely to share vital information about the characters and plot? Discuss the significance of Catherine's birthday. When does the date appear in the play? How many times?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contract Catherine and Claire. Though they are sisters, they have very different personalities.

1.) How did Claire want Robert's illness handled? How did Catherine want it handled?

2.) What pressure does Claire feel in regards to her family? What pressure does Catherine feel?

3.) How and why does Claire's intervention in her life offend Catherine?

(see the answer keys)

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