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. Why is Hal able to put the notebooks in order?

2. What has Claire given Catherine to wear to the funeral?

3. Where does Hal find the notebook?

4. What is the lighting direction at the end of the scene?

5. Why does Hal attempt to steal the notebook?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Sophie Germain?

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

3. What is Hal's song Imaginary Number?

4. Why does Hal try to take the notebook?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hal admits at the end of Act 2 not only that the proof is correct, but that he was wrong and should have believe Catherine the first time. How does this admission vindicate her? She proceeds not to explicitly forgive him, but does agree to sit down and explain the proof. Is this perhaps the first time she has ever had the opportunity to talk to anyone about her work? What fear does she reveal to Hal? What are the implications for the future as she begins to explain the proof to Hal?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample