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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 does Georg develop that prompts Maria to urge him to see a specialist in New York?

2. After the Ellis Island incident, what does the family's manager do for the sake of his finances?

3. Who else lives on the Vermont property with the von Trapps?

4. What is the amount of the mortgage the von Trapps take out to purchase their Vermont home?

5. What ultimately becomes of the von Trapps' former Austrian home?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After the von Trapps buy their Vermont house, but before they actually move in, what do the older sons, Werner and Rupert, tell the family?

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

4. Why does the family decide to buy a rundown farm in Vermont?

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

7. In Chapter 13, what does Maria say about going to auctions?

8. How does Maria feel the family is contributing to the war effort?

9. What does Maria state that she finds impressive regarding Americans and manual labor?

10. By their third American tour, what changes have the von Trapp family members made to their concerts to appeal to a wider audience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Starting over in the United States, the von Trapps faced many challenges. They succeeded despite all the difficulties they encountered. Do you think they created their own breaks, relied on the kindness of others, or a little of both? Explain, supporting your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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