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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. Among the natural beauty the family enjoys seeing while traveling across the United States, Maria cites:

2. What group has to give the von Trapp family permission before they can receive any building supplies for their home or their camp?

3. When Maria talks about wanting to open a music camp, she describes her childhood "Sing Weeks," which were:

4. In an effort to conserve gas and help the war effort, the von Trapps forgo traveling by car and instead travel by:

5. When Georg and Maria consider buying a house in Vermont that's in poor condition, what does Maria point out?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maria want to build a music camp near their home in Vermont?

2. After the Trapp family settles into their Vermont home, what do they learn about maple syrup?

3. When Georg becomes very sick, what do doctors tell Maria?

4. The family is concerned about an upcoming concert they are to give at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, their first all-female concert. How does it turn out?

5. As the family travels across the United States on their concert tours, what do they appreciate about the scenery? What do they dislike about the landscape?

6. What does the family name their Vermont home, and why?

7. During a performance in Denver, the family discovers the "lacking ingredient" that their manager, Mr. Schang, had alluded to before. How is the discovery made, and what is the missing ingredient?

8. What do the Trapps do when they receive a letter from Austria describing the suffering of the people there after the war?

9. During what Maria calls "the memorable year," what problems and issues do the von Trapps experience?

10. Why do two officials from the War Production Board arrive at Vermont to talk to Maria?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning, Georg is opposed to his family performing in public, but later he relents and even goes on stage to introduce them. Write an analysis exploring what caused the patriarch to have a change of heart and support his family's singing career.

Essay Topic 2

The von Trapps seem to have a lukewarm relationship with their managers, at least initially. Despite managers' concerns that the family doesn't have enough audience appeal, they offer contracts. Why? What do they see in the family that propels them to take a chance on their singing act? Explain in detail.

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)

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