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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the random growth patterns of the plants represent?
(a) Chaos.
(b) Ideas and creativity.
(c) Death.
(d) Outside forces.

2. Which is the best description of Anthony?
(a) A house guest.
(b) A middle-aged man.
(c) A young man.
(d) Husband of Claire.

3. What does Claire try to explain to the men over breakfast?
(a) Why she is unhappy in her marriage.
(b) Why there is no heat in the house.
(c) The joy of letting things grow without restriction.
(d) Why she doesn't spend more time with her daughter.

4. What does Claire ask Tom to do?
(a) Say something evil about God.
(b) Say something pleasant about the plants.
(c) Say something pleasant about God.
(d) Say something evil about the plants.

5. What is the special plant about to do?
(a) Be transplanted.
(b) Die.
(c) Flower.
(d) Go to seed.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Claire astonished when she enters the greenhouse during the second part of Act 1?

2. What does Claire try to explain to the first house guest?

3. What does the first character do after coming onstage?

4. What does Tom advise Harry to do?

5. Which best describes the number of plants in the greenhouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Claire ask Anthony to view the plant first?

2. For what two specific family-related matters does Adelaide chastise Claire?

3. What does Tom want to tell Claire early in Act 3?

4. At the end of the play, Claire has lapsed into madness. Why does the playwright choose to end with Claire singing the verses to a religious hymn?

5. After Harry leaves to smoke, what does Tom confide to Dick?

6. Regarding Claire's two lovers, what action does she take when she enters the greenhouse?

7. Describe the reaction of Claire when Anthony brings the blooming plant into the room, as contrasted with the reactions of the men?

8. Why is Claire unhappy, even though "The Breath of Life" bloomed beautifully?

9. What does Anthony offer to do when he sees that Claire has strangled Tom?

10. Why is Anthony upset when Dick rushes into the greenhouse for shelter?

(see the answer keys)

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