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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. While her family goes sightseeing in New York, Maria stays in the hotel to:

2. When she first learns English, Maria spells words as she would in Austrian. For example, she spells "watch" as:

3. After leaving the U.S. when their visas are not extended, where do the von Trapps tour next?

4. When Maria suggests the children wear play-suits, what does the Baroness say?

5. On the ship bound from London to the United States, Maria learns English by:

Short Essay Questions

1. Maria explains that Salzburg is built around what two prominent structures?

2. Instead of going to a New York City hospital, Maria wants her baby to be delivered by a midwife at home, as was the custom in Austria at the time. In the end, who delivers her son Johannes and what happens?

3. Describe the von Trapps' experience of being imprisoned at Ellis Island.

4. After the von Trapp family gets used to the routine of giving concerts, there is still one aspect of performing they dislike. What is it?

5. What does Maria learn about the Captain from the mansion's head of staff, the Baroness?

6. How does Maria feel about her family being regarded as "poor refugees?"

7. When a famous performer, Lotte Lehmann, hears the family practice and encourages them to enter a singing contest, what happens?

8. What happens to the family's clothes when they get their laundry done in New York at the rate of six cents a pound?

9. When a Nazi official comes to the von Trapp family's villa and tells Georg to display a Nazi flag from the house, how does Georg respond?

10. After Maria and Georg marry, the family settles into a routine. Describe their typical evening.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does the von Trapp family name their Vermont home "Cor Unum?" What does this mean? How does their house name represent a greater philosophy on life for Maria?

Essay Topic 2

Father Wasner is a minor yet significant character in the book, who essentially becomes part of the family.

1. Write an analysis of Father Wasner, describing who he is, how he joined the family, and what his role is in the Trapps' everyday life and singing career.

2. In what ways does his presence benefit the family? Do you think they could have advanced their singing careers without him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What might it be like to grow up in a large family like the Trapp clan with so many siblings? Write about pros and cons of having many sisters and brothers, supporting your conclusions with examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 852 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample