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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 does Claire do for a living?

3. Why is Hal skeptical about Catherine's claim?

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

5. Why is Hal huffy when Claire guesses why he has come to the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Robert is angry when Catherine tells him she is going to school.

1.) Does this instance parallel any other occurrence in the play where a character secretly make a big change?

2.) What is Robert worried about in regards to Catherine starting school?

3.) Is Catherine worried about Robert in this scene? How do their individual fears escalate the conversation?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

When Catherine stays in bed for a week, Claire cancels her flight to take care of her.

1.) Does Catherine appreciate Claire staying behind to help her?

2.) Does Claire simply feel obligated to stay, or is she truly concerned for Catherine?

3.) Is Claire too quick to assume that Catherine may have a mental health problem?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample