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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 long is the von Trapps' sea voyage on their way to America after their escape from Austria?

2. Where does the family sing in the mornings at their villa?

3. When the Captain returns to the villa unexpectedly from a trip and finds his family sitting on the floor singing, what does he do?

4. Who is the von Trapp children's Uncle Peter?

5. The family's first concert in the United States is where?

Short Essay Questions

1. World War II breaks out on September, 1939, while the family is doing a tour in Europe. Where do they end up after the war starts?

2. What is the "American Farmer?"

3. On the ship bound for America, how does Maria learn English?

4. When Little Maria tells Maria that she misses piano lessons, what does the governess do?

5. 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?

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

7. How does the family help take care of the new baby after Johannes is born?

8. After the Nazis take over, what changes take place at the children's school?

9. After Johannes is born, the family's U.S. visitor visas expire and no extension is granted. Where do they end up?

10. When the von Trapp family vacations with Georg's distant cousin Peter, what do they find odd about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The von Trapp family settles down in Vermont because they fall in love with the area.

1. What is it about Vermont that captivates them?

2. How do they go about turning Vermont into their new home?

3. What would you say defines "home" for the von Trapps?

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book, explain how the following traits and qualities help the von Trapp family thrive in new circumstances:

1. Open-mindedness.

2. Thinking outside the box.

3. Family unity.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how Maria and the children tap into resourcefulness to: a) improve their quality of life, b) get out of a negative situation, and c) create new opportunities for themselves. Use a different example for each case.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample