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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 does Grandpa enjoy doing?

2. Why does Ed ask Rheba about the dinner menu?

3. From where does Penny's daughter arrive?

4. On what does Penny comment?

5. How does Alice respond to Tony?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the scene become more confusing? How would this add more stress to Alice's already stressed-out life?

2. Describe the dinner. How does this begin to heal the wounds of the night before?

3. Is Tony able to change Alice's mind? To what does Alice agree? Why does she change her mind?

4. Why is the Grand Duchess at the Sycamore's home? How can the audience members relate to this?

5. What does Alice's father do when she comes into the room? Why does he do this?

6. How are the characters introduced? Why might the playwright use this technique to present the personalities and quirkiness of these characters to the audience or reader?

7. What do Alice and Tony do after they return from their date? What does this show about their relationship?

8. What is realized about both families? How might this affect Alice and Tony's relationship?

9. Describe Grandpa Vanderhof. From where is he returning? What does he enjoy about this activity?

10. How is Alice different from the rest of the family? Describe the interaction between Alice and the rest of the family.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of the play is significant.

Part 1) To what does "You Can't Take It With You" refer?

Part 2) Whose philosophy is this? What message are the playwrights trying to get across to the audience members?

Part 3) Why would this philosophy be important to the audience when the play opened in 1936? How is it significant today?

Essay Topic 2

The Vanderhof/Sycamore family is very unique.

Part 1) How are they unique?

Part 2) Why do Alice and Tony love them? Why are they such an endearing family?

Part 3) Why might the playwrights have chosen such odd characters for this play? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Kolenkhov brings a guest.

Part 1) Who is the guest and why has he brought her?

Part 2) Why does the author include this character in the play?

Part 3) Based on this character, what must life have been like for immigrants during the 1930s?

(see the answer keys)

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