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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. How does John describe the act of someone hurting your feelings to Paris?

2. What does Mollie tell Philip she intends to do that will affect her relationship with him?

3. How is Mollie mentally affected by Philip's emotional outbursts?

4. What quality of Philip has served as the backdrop for the tumultuous lives of his family?

5. What does Paris dream of at the beginning of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Philip apologize to Paris about during their talk?

2. Who is John Tucker?

3. Describe the nightmare that Paris has in the beginning of the play?

4. How does Mollie react to John's question?

5. What does John consider to be a betrayal?

6. What does Paris confide in John about?

7. What is Mollie horror-stricken about?

8. How does Mollie react to Sister's blatant question of whether or not she loves Philip and if she plans to marry him for the third time?

9. How does Philip return to the farmhouse before he is expected?

10. What are the blueprints that Paris carries from the barn into the house going to be used for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and Contrast the characters of John Tucker and Philip Lovejoy. Include the ironies of their lives, including where they come from and who they have become. Discuss how their characters pull different, yet equally powerful emotions out of Mollie. Finally, include Mollie as the driving force of their decisions in your essay. Use 3 pieces of textual evidence in your essay.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the act of suicide in The Square Root of Wonderful. We know that Paris mentions that suicide is weakness. However, when someone is on the edge of despair where no rational thought takes place, could it be considered a sickness or a form of relief? Does Philip's suicide bring the family closer together or does it split them further apart. Does it serve it's purpose or is it the ultimate tragedy?

Essay Topic 3

What is the crisis of The Square Root of Wonderful? Describe the moment when the conflict reaches a turning point and the opposing forces in the story meet. This is the time when the conflict becomes the most intense. Use specific scenes from the play and be sure to point out specific characters and dialogue.

(see the answer keys)

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