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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 is Tess listening to when Pfeni arrives?

2. Why does Sara complain to Pfeni about Tess?

3. What does Gorgeous do for a living?

4. What does Pfeni say is her motivation for coming to dinner?

5. As Act 1, Scene 3 opens, what is being served?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Merv.

2. What does Sara believe men's perceptions of her are, and how does Merv seem to perceive her?

3. Why might Tess being doing her school project at the opening of Act 1, Scene 1?

4. What is indicated about Tess's political views in Act 1, Scene 1?

5. How does Sara appear to feel about her past?

6. What does Act 1, Scene 2 reveal about Sara's attitudes toward marriage and how is this revealed?

7. What is the basis for the political arguments in Act 1, Scene 3?

8. In Act 1, Scene 3, what can be inferred from Sara's participation--or lack thereof--in the political discussions that occur?

9. How does Merv appear to feel about his Jewishness?

10. What are some of the things learned about Sara's surgery and her feelings about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is each sister's relationship to the past? Do they embrace it, reject it? Does that change during the course of the play? Examine each sister in turn and her relationship to her own past.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Tess and the nature of each of the following:

1) Adolescent rebellion

2) Self-discovery

3) Familial ties.

In light of these elements, how does Tess change over the course of the play?

Essay Topic 3

Passion--or lack of it--plays a part in the play. Choose two characters and discuss the passion in their life (or lack thereof). Remember that passion can be work or a cause or something other than a relationship. Discuss how (if at all) their passion changes during the course of the play.

(see the answer keys)

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