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. What does Hal accidentally remind Robert when he says they will meet in a week, on the eleventh?

2. Why doesn't Claire believe Catherine about the proof?

3. Who does Hal encounter when he comes back to the house?

4. When does Act 2, Scene 3 take place?

5. Why does Catherine claim she wrote the proof in one of Robert's notebook?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe why Claire allows Hal to take the notebook.

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

3. What decision has Catherine made about school?

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

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

6. Is Hal personally conflicted about taking the notebook?

7. Why or why not does Catherine want to attend the University of Chicago?

8. Describe Robert's demeanor throughout the scene.

9. What is Robert examining in the proof?

10. Why is Robert so excited about working?

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

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

In the play, there is a fine line between madness and genius; kindness and presumption. Discuss this fine line as it applies to:

1.) Robert.

2.) Catherine.

3.) Claire.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 690 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample