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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. How do Catherine and Hal feel at the top of the scene?

2. What did Catherine think of Hal the first time they met?

3. According to Hal, what happens when a mathematician turns fifty?

4. How many days has Catherine "lost"?

5. What is Hal carrying when he enters?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Claire's personality different from Catherine's?

3. What is Hal's song Imaginary Number?

4. Who did Claire want to care for Robert during his illness, and who actually cared for him?

5. Who paid off the mortgage on the house? How?

6. Why is Claire so worried when Catherine cannot explain the police presence at the house the night before?

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

8. How does Catherine describe Robert's mathematical processes?

9. When did Hal and Catherine first meet?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Catherine is angry and upset when Hal steals the notebook. She goes so far as to call the police, though he confesses as soon as she finds it and claims he wanted to give it back to her as a gift.

1.) Though he may have been planning to give it back, Hal attempted to steal on of her late father's possessions. Does Catherine overreact in this situation?

2.) What does Catherine think he may be trying to do with the information in the notebook?

Essay Topic 2

Claire arranges for Catherine to move to New York, and sells their old house in Chicago.

1.) Is Catherine happy about the move? Why or why not?

2.) Why does Claire sell the house? Why does she make such a huge decision without consulting Catherine?

3.) Does Claire take advantage of the fact that she was the financial support during Robert's illness?

Essay Topic 3

Catherine has had the proof finished for quite some time, but shows it to no one until she gives Hal the key to the upstairs drawer.

1.) Why does Catherine choose Hal to whom she reveals the groundbreaking proof? Does it matter to Catherine that Claire is present as well, or is that just circumstance?

2.) Catherine does not seemed surprised when Claire does not believe her, but is extremely hurt when Hal is unsure. Why does Hal's skepticism upset her so much?

3.) Is Catherine excited about her work, or has mathematics been soured for her by her father's death?

(see the answer keys)

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