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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. Which family member of Jessie had lived in the state where she and Felix had planned to end up after their cross-country hitchhiking stint?

2. When Brucie stops walking the picket line and disappears, for how long does he disappear?

3. When Cynthia asks Tracey where she heard that Olstead would be engaging in lay-offs, where does Tracey say she heard the news?

4. Who does Cynthia blame for Chris's incarceration?

5. Who asks Chris if he had worn a helmet while riding on Jason's new motorcycle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Cynthia's response to Tracey's accusation that the bosses have probably sent Cynthia to the bar?

2. What does Cynthia say is the only upside of the trouble at Olstead's during the labor dispute?

3. What kind of philosophy about life does Chris express when Cynthia starts to express her anger toward Jason for his role in Chris's incarceration?

4. What is Oscar's true purpose for going outside where Tracey is smoking outside of the bar?

5. What reasons does Cynthia use to back up her assertion that the workers should take the concessions that will be offered by Olstead's, even if they are harsh?

6. How is overlapping dialogue used to indicate closeness between characters at Jessie's birthday party?

7. What emotion does Cynthia express to Chris that she has been feeling since his incarceration?

8. Describe the difference between Jessie's reaction to Cynthia's promotion and Tracey's reaction to Cynthia's promotion?

9. What does Tracey mean when she says that Oscar does not know her during their conversation outside the bar?

10. How does the playwright reveal to the audience how serious Jessie had been about her plans to travel the world before she had taken a job at Olstead's at age 18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thoroughly analyze the climax of the play and discuss its intended effects on the audience.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the playwright's messages concerning the nature of security. Does she indicate that it is dangerous or crucial? Choose one adjective and prove its validity using concrete details from the play.

(see the answer keys)

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