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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. Why does Missy chase the children away from Eleanor at the end of Act 2, Scene 1?

2. What diagnosis does the first specialist in Act 1, Scene 2, give for FDR's condition?

3. Where is Act 2, Scene, 1 set?

4. Which relative has Granny gone to see?

5. Why does Johnny dislike Mr. Howe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What would Sara like to have FDR do in Act 1, Scene 2?

2. In Act 1, Scene 3, why does Sara disagree with Mr. Howe and Eleanor about the method they are using to transport FDR to New York?

3. How does FDR use his creativity and industriousness to aid in his own recovery?

4. How does the crowd react to FDR in Act 3, Scene 3?

5. Why do FDR and Mr. Howe disagree about the ending of his speech in Act 3, Scene 2?

6. Why does FDR refer to Jimmy as a "man of iron"?

7. What is the significance of FDR changing into his leg braces in Act 3, Scene 2?

8. How does Woodrow Wilson's letter affect FDR?

9. How does the general public react to the news of FDR's disability?

10. In Act 3, Scene 1, what does FDR suspect that the Democratic Party wants him to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the progression of FDR's political ambitions throughout the play. How are his ambitions affected by his illness? How do relationships with other characters affect his political ambitions? Are FDR's political views easily swayed by the influences of external events?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of irony in the play. What ironies result from the conflict between FDR's illness and his desire for political office? What is the purpose of the ironies evident in the play? Is irony an effective tool to change behavior?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the balance between hope and despair evident in the play. How do the action and dialogue of the play affect that balance? How is the balance between hope and despair used to express the themes of the play? In the end, which emotion do the characters experience and why?

(see the answer keys)

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