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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. Why is the proof so important?

2. How old was Robert when his illness began?

3. How many people are left at the party?

4. Where does Hal find the notebook?

5. Why does Hal attempt to steal the notebook?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Hal sensitive about getting older?

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

3. When did Hal and Catherine first meet?

4. Why has Hal come to the house?

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

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

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

8. Who is Sophie Germain?

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

10. Describe the general mood at the house after Robert's funeral.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Claire says that mathematician don't think: they just create catastrophes and expect other people to come in and clean them up.

1.) How is this true of Robert? Of Hal? Of Catherine?

2.) Does Claire feel she is cleaning up Hal's mess? Robert's mess?

3.) Does Claire feel that Robert should have been in professional care? How would this have changed events in the play?

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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