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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 Timmy make decisions, according to John?

2. What are John and Timmy doing as they enter the apartment in Act 1, Scene 2?

3. What year does the play, "The Subject was Roses", take place in?

4. Where are Nettie, John, and Timmy returning from as the third scene begins?

5. What does Timmy do when he returns at the end of the third scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Timmy's request at breakfast in the first scene of Act 2, how does John respond, and what does it indicate?

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

3. How does John view the relationship between all three family members, according to Timmy?

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

5. What does John become upset about in Act 2, Scene 1, and how does Timmy respond?

6. How does the way Nettie reacts to Timmy's drinking in Scene 3 illustrate the difference between her and John?

7. What symbolic act does Nettie make with the roses at the end of Act 1, Scene 3?

8. What is John doing with Timmy's army jacket in Scene 1, and why?

9. What surprise does John unveil as the first scene of the play is ending, and how does it affect Nettie?

10. Why does John think that he and Nettie's marriage will improve, and how does Nettie comment on his theory?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The play ends with John making a surprising decision about Timmy staying or leaving. Describe what John has gone through during the entire play and why he chooses for Timmy to go. What does that illustrate for the family in general? How are each member of the family different as a result of the events in the play? Which characters have changed the most or least? What do you think is likely to happen to Timmy? How might his life be different? How did Nettie respond to the ending? What does that indicate a possible future is for her and her marriage?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Timmy and John's reaction to Nettie's disappearance. Describe how they both respond in different ways, why, and the effect their actions have on the play in general.

(see the answer keys)

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