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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 has Claire delayed her flight back home?

2. How much of Robert's ability does Claire think she has inherited?

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

4. How does Hal want to check the proof?

5. What is Catherine's explanation as to why she wrote the proof?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Catherine meet Hal?

2. Does Hal believe that Catherine wrote the proof? Why or why not?

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

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

5. Why was Hal the first person to whom Catherine showed the proof?

6. Describe Robert's demeanor throughout the scene.

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

8. How does Catherine get Hal to leave?

9. When did Catherine write the proof?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does time have in the play? How does the playwright use time loosely to share vital information about the characters and plot? Discuss the significance of Catherine's birthday. When does the date appear in the play? How many times?

Essay Topic 2

After the funeral, Catherine and Hal spend the night together.

1.) What are the factors that bring them together?

2.) How are they each tied to the memory of Robert? Is Catherine warding off the pain by succumbing to something physical?

3.) Who is the aggressor? Are they equally attracted to each other?

Essay Topic 3

Hal feels some sort of a connection to Catherine. When she is catatonic in bed, he insists to Claire that Catherine may talk to him.

1.) What events my have led Hal to feel more connected with Catherine?

2.) Could he feel guilty and somewhat responsible for her breakdown?

3.) Is Hal a victim of circumstance, or could he have handled the situation more graciously?

(see the answer keys)

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