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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. At lunch with his co-worker Jack Ordway, what does Frank begin to realize?

2. What does Frank think of April's plan?

3. About what do the Wheelers and their guests talk?

4. How do the others react to Franks long-winded speech?

5. What do the cast members do backstage during intermission?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Shep meet Milly? What happens to their relationship?

2. Describe Helen Givings.

3. What has happened to John Givings?

4. To what does Frank look forward? Why?

5. Why does Mrs. Givings show up? How does Frank react to this?

6. What does Helen do, while she and her husband sip their tea?

7. How does Frank react when he and April begin to make love?

8. What is significant about this trip to New York City?

9. What does Frank tell Maureen about himself?

10. How does the play proceed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Helen Givings becomes a touchstone for measuring the depth of frustration and unhappiness that awaits American suburbanites in the 1950s.

Part 1) How is this statement correct?

Part 2) How does this contrast with the stereotypical suburban housewife and home in the 1950s?

Part 3) Why does this disparity exist between real life in the 1950s and the stereotypical 1950s life?

Essay Topic 2

Frank and April decide to move to Paris.

Part 1) Why do they decide to move to Paris? Why might they have chosen Paris, rather than any other city?

Part 2) Why do they believe a move to Europe will fix their lives?

Part 3) How does this fantasy reflect real life?

Essay Topic 3

John speaks the truth.

Part 1) How does John's insanity affect his behavior? How does his behavior affect the others? Why?

Part 2) Do his actions and words reveal him to be insane? Why or why not?

Part 3) What would the world be like if more people spoke the truth, like John?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample