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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 is coming through the roof in the apartment?

2. What excites her boyfriend the most about their relationship?

3. Where does Jo hope to be before she turns forty?

4. Where have Jo and her boyfriend gone to be alone?

5. To which Shakespeare play does Jo's boyfriend compare?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the way Jo treats her boyfriend reminiscent of the way Helen treats Peter?

2. Where did Jo get her bulbs, and how is she supposed to plant them?

3. Does Jo think she loved her boyfriend?

4. How has Helen and Peter's relationship changed since they have been married?

5. What school does Helen offer to pay for Jo to attend?

6. Why is Helen in ill health?

7. What happens to Geof whenever Helen is around?

8. How does Jo think of her relationship with Geof? What role has he filled in her life?

9. Is Jo jealous of Peter Smith? Why or why not?

10. How does Helen take Jo's news that her baby will be black?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Peter is arguably the least-developed character in the play. While the others have complex emotional paths, Peter is very clearly a womanizer and a drunk. Why do you think Delaney included this two-dimensional character with her other well-rounded and developed characters? Do you think Peter is meant to be underdeveloped?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 1, Scene 1, Jo dreams about Helen's death. How does Helen's reaction to Jo's dream give insight to her character? Is Helen really as flippant and unfeeling as she first appears? How, if at all, does Helen change throughout the play?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Jo ultimately sleep with Jimmie? Does Helen's abandonment at Christmastime contribute to Jo's rebellion? Does Jo really love Jimmie, or is she lashing out at Helen? She seems to know she and Jimmie are only going to last for a short time. Why does she continue with the relationship?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 746 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample