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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 crime does Tracey ask Oscar how to commit without getting caught?

2. What reason does Chris give for not telling Jason his plans to attend college?

3. For how many years have Chris and Jason been imprisoned by the later of the two eras depicted in the play?

4. At the start of Act 1, Scene 4, how many weeks does Brucie tell Stan he and the other workers have been locked out of the plant?

5. What does Brucie show Cynthia in order to prove he is in a treatment program?

Short Essay Questions

1. During the conversation about the open management position, how does Cynthia and Tracey's relationship experience a noticeable shift?

2. Explain the different reactions of Chris and Jason to their respective post-prison stresses.

3. What is Nottage's purpose in depicting Stan and Tracey as having been involved sexually before they became friends?

4. How does Jason demonstrate a lack of awareness about white privilege during his conversation about college with Chris?

5. What is Nottage's purpose for including the character of Jessie within the narrative?

6. Characterize Evan's methods of performing his job as a parole officer.

7. What is the author's purpose in using Tracey's character to express racist views directly to Oscar, rather than using a character like Jessie?

8. Why does Cynthia decide to pursue the open management position at Olstead's?

9. Why does Stan say that his work injury had been the best thing to ever happen to him?

10. How does Brucie's experience at the union office again display the theme of racial tension?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the central purpose of this play? What response do you think Lynn Nottage wants from her audience? How does each character support her purpose? Write an essay exploring these questions.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolism of the props in this play, including Chris's Bible, Cynthia's union card, and the baseball bat.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Stan's role within the events of the play and explain how his character helps to further develop certain themes inherent in Lynn Nottage's piece.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,240 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample