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

2. What is the date in Act 2, Scene 1?

3. What does Claire think about Hal's relationship with Catherine?

4. Where will Catherine live while she is in school?

5. Whose handwriting does Claire think the proof is written in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What decision has Catherine made about school?

2. Is Hal personally conflicted about taking the notebook?

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

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

5. Why is Robert so excited about working?

6. How does Catherine get Hal to leave?

7. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hal admits at the end of Act 2 not only that the proof is correct, but that he was wrong and should have believe Catherine the first time. How does this admission vindicate her? She proceeds not to explicitly forgive him, but does agree to sit down and explain the proof. Is this perhaps the first time she has ever had the opportunity to talk to anyone about her work? What fear does she reveal to Hal? What are the implications for the future as she begins to explain the proof to Hal?

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)

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