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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. Who is Sophie Germain?

3. Why is Hal unhappy with his own work?

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

5. Why does Hal attempt to steal the notebook?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Claire plan to do with the house?

6. Does Hal think he will still have the next great mathematical revelation?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 752 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample