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. What was Claire trying to do in her conversation with Catherine?

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

3. Why is Claire confused about Catherine's relationship to Hal?

4. Where did Catherine get the dress she wore to the funeral?

5. What does Claire think Hal is to Catherine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Hal insistent on going through all of Robert's notebooks?

3. Why does Hal try to take the notebook?

4. Who is Sophie Germain?

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

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

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

8. Describe Hal's mood the morning after he and Catherine sleep together.

9. Describe Catherine's reaction when she discovers the notebook.

10. Why has Hal come to the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hal feels some sort of a connection to Catherine. When she is catatonic in bed, he insists to Claire that Catherine may talk to him.

1.) What events my have led Hal to feel more connected with Catherine?

2.) Could he feel guilty and somewhat responsible for her breakdown?

3.) Is Hal a victim of circumstance, or could he have handled the situation more graciously?

Essay Topic 2

Robert is angry when Catherine tells him she is going to school.

1.) Does this instance parallel any other occurrence in the play where a character secretly make a big change?

2.) What is Robert worried about in regards to Catherine starting school?

3.) Is Catherine worried about Robert in this scene? How do their individual fears escalate the conversation?

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)

This section contains 721 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample