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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. For how many years has Cynthia worked on the factory floor before she applies for the management position?

2. Who has Brucie come to the bar to see when he is first told that Chris has gained admittance to college?

3. What ailment does Cynthia say she is now experiencing after so many years working on the factory floor?

4. Who changes the locks and does not provide Jason with a key once he turns 21 years old?

5. What does Stan say is at the core of everything?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What qualities does Stan believe that a good leader must exhibit?

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

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

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

6. How is the theme of racial tension presented by the playwright before any dialogue is even spoken?

7. In what ways are Chris and Cynthia shown to have similar characteristics?

8. 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?

9. How is the theme of being trapped contained within Stan's advice to Chris about his job at Olstead's and about college?

10. What does Evan mean when he tells Chris that "the river keeps flowing" (9)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The playwright begins the play with an excerpt from a Langston Hughes poem. Explain how this poem excerpt relates to the play and how it reflects the play's themes.

Essay Topic 2

Lynn Nottage introduces many historical references in the play, from the bank bailouts of 2008 to the 2000 Olympics. What do these references add to the play? How do they expand the universality of its themes?

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)

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