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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 was Robert secretly terrified of, in regards to his career?

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

3. According to Robert, if the thesis "feels done," then...

4. What does Claire do for a living?

5. Why does Claire trust Hal with the object?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?

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

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

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

7. How does Catherine meet Hal?

8. How does Catherine get Hal to leave?

9. How does Catherine react when Claire and Hal do not believe her?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Catherine is angry and upset when Hal steals the notebook. She goes so far as to call the police, though he confesses as soon as she finds it and claims he wanted to give it back to her as a gift.

1.) Though he may have been planning to give it back, Hal attempted to steal on of her late father's possessions. Does Catherine overreact in this situation?

2.) What does Catherine think he may be trying to do with the information in the notebook?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 720 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample