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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 the "American Farmer?"

2. Why does Father Wasner become a regular at the von Trapp villa?

3. When Maria becomes pregnant again and doctors want her to end the pregnancy because of her weak kidneys, what does Maria do?

4. When the mother of a famous harpsichordist tells the von Trapps they need publicity, what does the family do?

5. To earn a living after Georg loses most of his savings, what does the family do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When the mother of a famous harpsichordist advises the family that they need to get themselves a publicist, what do the von Trapps do?

3. What is the "American Farmer?"

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. When the von Trapp family goes on tour in Europe, who do they sing for?

6. 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?

7. What happens after the Chancellor of Austria hears the family singing on the radio?

8. Why does Maria feel uncomfortable when she first arrives at the Trapp Villa?

9. The children don't know what an Advent wreath is. How does Maria describe it to them?

10. When the family first arrives at the Hotel Wellington in New York City, what experiences do they have?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Life at the Von Trapp Villa undergoes a significant transformation when the newest governess, Maria, arrives.

1. Describe what life was like for the children and their father at their villa before Maria joins them.

2. Explain what new routines and activities they partake in after her arrival.

3. In your opinion, was the family better off before or after Maria came into their lives? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Maria expresses having both positive and negative experiences interacting with Americans.

1. Based on Maria's accounts and commentary, what do you feel she would like Americans to do differently?

2. What do you feel she would like Austrians to do differently, based on what she admires about Americans?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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