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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 many notebooks did Robert leave behind?

2. Where does Scene 1 take place?

3. How old is Catherine turning?

4. Why does Hal say some of the older mathematicians use amphetamines?

5. What does Claire think of Hal when Catherine first tries to explain the events of the previous night?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why does Claire want Catherine to come to New York?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Catherine is a complex character: for a young person, she has held an extraordinary amount of responsibility. However, according to her sister Claire, Catherine now cannot take care of herself.

1.) Cite three instances in the text where Claire's argument can be made, and Catherine's behavior is reprehensible.

2.) Is Claire justified in stepping into Catherine's life? In selling the house? In moving Catherine to New York?

3.) Is Claire trying to help Catherine out of a sense of sisterly love, or misplaced guilt over Robert's death?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the significance of students in bookstores for Robert. When does the audience first hear it from Robert? What is the significance of the second time the audience hears Robert talk about students and bookstores? What are the implications for Robert as a teacher?

(see the answer keys)

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