View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In her conversation with Robert, why is Catherine worried?

2. Is Catherine pleased that Hal kisses her?

3. According to the letter Catherine has memorized, is Gauss pleased to discover the letters he has received are from a woman?

4. What does Hal do after Catherine quotes Gauss' letter to Sophie Germain?

5. What has become Claire's fiance's new hobby?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Catherine demand to see Hal's backpack? Does she find anything?

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

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

4. What does Robert reveal about Catherine's state of mind in the first scene?

5. How does Hal describe the mathematicians at his conferences?

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

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

8. Who is Sophie Germain?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

When Catherine stays in bed for a week, Claire cancels her flight to take care of her.

1.) Does Catherine appreciate Claire staying behind to help her?

2.) Does Claire simply feel obligated to stay, or is she truly concerned for Catherine?

3.) Is Claire too quick to assume that Catherine may have a mental health problem?

Essay Topic 3

Hal and Robert are each afraid of getting old and losing their edge. They think mathematics is a young man's game, and very quickly a mathematician is past his prime.

1.) Could this idea have anything to do with Robert's illness? He works so hard to match his former genius, but cannot---could this be a contributing factor?

2.) Hal jokes that he has resigned himself to a teaching position. Do you think there is more it? Is Hal disappointed in his own lack of genius?

3.) Describe the lengths mathematicians go to in order to retain their edge, as described by Hal. How competitive is this field?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 815 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample