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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 Lee drinking at the beginning of Scene 1?

2. What task does Lee give Austin during the game?

3. At the beginning of Act 1, Scene 4, what is the time of day?

4. What kind of story does Lee have for Saul?

5. To what does Lee compare Mom's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Austin feel he is more in touch with what people want than Lee?

2. Are the brothers jealous of each other?

3. After Lee asks Austin again to write the screenplay, how does Austin react? What tactic does he employ?

4. Why has Mom come home early?

5. Did Austin know Lee was coming to visit?

6. If Austin's story does not go over with the producer, what does Lee offer?

7. Does Lee think Austin would be any good at his former profession? Why/why not?

8. Why doesn't Austin think Lee can help their father?

9. How does Austin leave the situation with Saul?

10. How does Saul feel initially about Austin's screenplay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the car keys as a metaphor for the brothers' relationship. Cite specific instances from the text where the keys represent their power struggle.

Essay Topic 2

Austin is an idealist, and even in the midst of his breakdown he thinks about the people without typewriters and golf clubs. Is he experiencing twinges of yuppie guilt? Pick specific instances from the text that lead you to believe one way or another.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the last sound effect of the play, a single coyote in the distance? Of whom or what is it representative?

(see the answer keys)

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