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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 does Nettie respond to Timmy at the end of Act 1, Scene 3?

2. What type of flowers did Nettie's father used to send to her?

3. What type of prayer will John stop and say?

4. How many chairs are there in the apartment as the play opens?

5. Who is howling at the end of Act 1, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the breakfast of Nettie and John in the beginning of Act 2 have a shaky start?

2. What is the setting and date for "The Subject was Roses", and why are they significant?

3. How do Nettie and Timmy revisit their past at the end of Act 1, Scene 1?

4. What does Nettie describe to Timmy about the job she almost took before she met John, and why is it significant?

5. What does Timmy tell Nettie about the way he viewed the family before he left for the army, and after he returned?

6. What decision does Timmy make at the end of the last scene, and how does his father surprise him?

7. What is interesting about the way John and Timmy react to Nettie's disappearance?

8. What is the state of the Clearys' apartment in the beginning of the play and why?

9. What is the difference in the way Nettie and John are handling Timmy's decision to leave?

10. How does Nettie describe John's early business sense?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the two times in the play that Timmy misrepresents the truth with his parents. Analyze each circumstance, his motives, and whether or not you agree with them.

Essay Topic 2

Timmy is the center of both Nettie and John's attention. His character develops in an interesting way that causes a reaction from both of them.

1) How does Timmy's drinking manifest itself into a problem? Is the problem understated or overstated in the play? Why or why not? How does the author use Timmy's drinking to display larger issues and problems?

2) Describe which side Timmy takes upon returning home, what his possible reasons might be, and how his decision conflicts with what his parents expected. Also, include examples of how Timmy makes his opinion about who is at fault known.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Nettie's character in detail. What are her personality traits? How do they contribute to her situation? How does she affect the other characters? What is her place in the family and the reasons behind it? Use the play to support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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