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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. Why is the first house guest uncomfortable?

2. What does the second house guest bring from the house?

3. Who is the first house guest to arrive at the greenhouse?

4. What does the second house guest do when he sees that no one can help him enter the greenhouse?

5. What does the second house guest have in his hand when he first arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Claire respond to Adelaide's criticisms?

2. When the curtain opens for the second time in Act 1, what is the setting?

3. How does Anthony respond to Hattie's information?

4. What is the connection between Claire and Elizabeth?

5. How does Tom respond to Claire's request in order for the door to be unlocked?

6. How does Harry react to Claire's actions, yelling to Tom for rescue?

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

8. Claire's internal struggle indicates her desire for what?

9. Describe the attitudes of Claire and Elizabeth when they first meet face to face in Act 1.

10. Anthony explains to Harry that Claire gave him what two orders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are light and sound used to forward the plot and atmosphere of "The Verge"?

Essay Topic 2

Is Claire, a clear failure as a wife and mother, a suitable role model for women of the time period? Why does the playwright choose to make her protagonist act so coldly toward her family?

Essay Topic 3

Claire's husband, Harry, seems to find insight into Claire's needs and motivations only after he sees that she has strangled Tom. Why did this murderous action prompt understanding when her work with the plants did not?

(see the answer keys)

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