View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 2, Scene 2, in a humorous story, what is revealed as Rita's advice for getting over a heartache?

2. What do Pfeni and Gorgeous encourage Sara to do in Act 2, Scene 2, as they share a glass of wine?

3. In Act 2, Scene 1, the morning after her night with Merv, what does Sara say caused her illness?

4. What does Sara knock over during Act 1, Scene 4?

5. After the confrontations in Act 2, Scene 1, which sister of the Sisters Rosensweig seems to be the most honest about their lives?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which sister seems to be the most truthful in Act 2, Scene 1 and why?

2. What is the significance of Merv calling Sara by the name Sadie?

3. What truth does Gorgeous speak to Pfeni about Geoffrey?

4. What does Merv reveal about his wife?

5. Describe the mood as Act 1, Scene 4 opens.

6. What might the tea kettle Nick gifts to Sara represent?

7. What is implied by Geoffrey in his scene with Pfeni when he talks of friends dying unfulfilled?

8. Explain why Pfeni and Geoffrey were first drawn to each other and crazy about each other when they met.

9. Describe Pfeni and Geoffrey's relationship in Act 2, Scene 1.

10. How does Gorgeous think her sisters feel about her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The love lives of all four women (including Tess) is an important element of the play. Discuss each of the women in turn and how their relationship reflects their character and their character's growth.

Essay Topic 2

How are the various characters' identities as Jews important to them?

1) Discuss why someone might turn their back on their identity.

2) Through three characters, show how they either identify or do not identify as Jewish persons.

3) Explore, through your own opinion, whether or not it is important to hold onto your roots.

Essay Topic 3

What is the nature of the relationships between mothers and daughters? Though the three sisters' mother, Rita, is unseen in this play, enough hints and revelations are offered that we know a bit about her and her relationship with Pfeni, Gorgeous, and Sara. In addition, Sara and Tess have a relationship very much present in the play.

1) Offer a statement about the relationship between mothers and daughters as depicted in this play.

2) Using the sisters and Tess and Sara, offer evidence for this view of the nature of mothers and daughters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 753 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample