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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. Who is Margo?

2. Who says, "women seldom sense when they have become boring"?

3. What is Sandra's last name?

4. Where does Murray live?

5. When did Murray realize that it was time to quit his job with the children's show?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Murray heads to the door on his way to congratulate Irving R. Feldmen?

2. Why doesn't Nick have a name and how did Murray decide to call the child Nick?

3. When Sandra tells Murray she isn't sure if he is independent or selfish, how does Murray reply?

4. What is the "situation" at school that Nick needs to discuss with Murray?

5. Why does Sandra consider herself not to be a leader?

6. Sandra starts sobbing about a lot of different things that are frustrating her about her job and her life. Describe some of the things that she is crying about to Murray at the end of Act 1, Part 3.

7. After Sandra leaves and Murray rushes to the door to open it and Sandra is still on the other side, what changes with their interaction after the door opens?

8. While Albert and Sandra are talking to Murray and Nick, there is a noise at the front door. Who is it and what does this person do and look like?

9. While Albert and Sandra are having their private conversation, Murray is doing peculiar things while he waits. Describe what Murray is doing to keep himself occupied while he waits for Albert and Sandra.

10. Describe Sandra and Murray's morning routine in Act 2, Part 1.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A Thousand Clowns has a reoccurring theme of humor. Murray uses humor and jokes quite often to help him solve his problems or reason with other people. Why do you think Murray uses humor to solve his problems? Does it work for him? Why or why not? Are there other characters in the book that use this same method of persuading people or solving problems with humor? If yes, who and what things do they do that are similar to Murray?

Essay Topic 2

The character, Sandra, brings a feminine quality to the play overrun by male characters, and she brings her own feelings of loneliness, insecurity, and doubt along with her. Describe Sandra's character in detail and explain reasons for her personality traits. Is she a needed character in the play? Why or why not? How would the play be different if Sandra's character was a male? Do you think it was a wise decision on the part of Herb Gardner to include a lone female character? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

By the end of Act 1 in the play, Sandra and Murray have become quite close. Why do you think they "hit it off" so easily? What qualities in Murray do you think Sandra is attracted to? What qualities in Sandra would benefit Murray in a relationship? Is this a relationship that can last? Why or why not? How do you think a relationship between Sandra and Murray would affect Nick? Would it be good or bad for Nick?

(see the answer keys)

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