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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. Where does Robert joke that Chicago beer comes from?

2. When Claire asks Catherine to recite the proof, how does Catherine reply?

3. What does Robert say is finally working again?

4. Who will help her pay for living expenses--books, food, gas, etc?

5. Why is Catherine adamant that Robert could not have written the proof?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where has Catherine come from to check on Robert?

2. Why is Robert so excited about working?

3. What do Robert and Catherine decide to do for dinner?

4. What does Claire think is the problem with mathematicians in emotional situations?

5. Did Hal intentionally take advantage of Catherine when they slept together?

6. Why has Hal come back to the house after the fight?

7. How do Robert's feelings differ between Catherine and Claire?

8. Describe Robert's demeanor throughout the scene.

9. Does Claire believe that Catherine wrote the proof? Why or why not?

10. How does Catherine get Hal to leave?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Hal is a mathematician and a doctoral candidate, he mishandles almost his entire relationship Catherine.

1.) Describe Hal and Catherine's relationship in chronological order, starting with their first meeting and moving through the end of Act 2.

2.) Does Hal really care for Catherine, or is he only interested in her proof?

3.) Could Hal's attraction to Catherine also be tangled up with his sorrow over Robert's death?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Claire is a very different character from Catherine, but has a very distinct point of view in the play.

1.) What does Claire do for a living? Is she a mathematical person too?

2.) What was Claire's contribution during Robert's illness? How does this make Catherine somewhat beholden to her?

3.) Describe Claire's personality. How does she differ from Catherine and Robert?

(see the answer keys)

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