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. Who escapes Austria with the von Trapp family?

2. When Princess Yvonne is about to visit the von Trapps, what does the Captain's daughter, Little Maria, ask?

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

4. In New York, where does the family attend church daily?

5. Why is the family detained at Ellis Island?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Father Wasner come into the von Trapps' lives?

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

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

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

6. After Maria returns home from her kidney stone procedure, the family gets a long distance call. What information do they receive during this call?

7. 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?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The Captain and Maria come from very different backgrounds, he from a military career and she from a religious environment. Yet they are able to have a close, lasting relationship.

1. What significant differences are there between Maria and Georg? What similarities exist between the two?

2. Why do you think their marriage was successful despite their many differences? Explain in detail.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast life for the von Trapp family in Salzburg and in New York City. What are the drawbacks and the benefits of each place?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 844 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample