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

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

3. At the end of the scene what doesn't Robert want Catherine to do?

4. What does Robert begin to write at the end of Act 2, Scene 1?

5. What is Robert opposed to having for dinner?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. When did Catherine write the proof?

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

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

10. Why has Robert decided to write on the porch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Catherine has had the proof finished for quite some time, but shows it to no one until she gives Hal the key to the upstairs drawer.

1.) Why does Catherine choose Hal to whom she reveals the groundbreaking proof? Does it matter to Catherine that Claire is present as well, or is that just circumstance?

2.) Catherine does not seemed surprised when Claire does not believe her, but is extremely hurt when Hal is unsure. Why does Hal's skepticism upset her so much?

3.) Is Catherine excited about her work, or has mathematics been soured for her by her father's death?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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