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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. What has Catherine missed to come back to the house?

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

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

4. Does Hal believe Catherine could have written the proof?

5. What does Claire think about Hal's suggestion to check the proof?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the date in the scene particularly significant?

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

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

4. How does Catherine get Hal to leave?

5. Is Robert upset that Catherine plans to leave? Why or why not?

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

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

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

9. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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