View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do Alice and Tony go on a date?

2. Why must the two part for the evening?

3. From what type of family does Alice come?

4. What is unusual about the apartment?

5. What does Tony remind Alice?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens before Tony and Alice part? What does this show about their relationship?

2. How does Grandpa challenge Mr. Henderson? How does Mr. Henderson handle this? With whom is the audience more likely to side, Grandpa or Mr. Henderson? Why?

3. Why does Tony accept Alice's family?

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

5. Who is Essie Carmichael? What is she doing in this scene? How does she fit seamlessly into the Sycamore family?

6. How is Tony reacting to Alice's behavior? Why is he reacting this way?

7. What does Rheba recall? How does this information satisfy the audience?

8. What does Grandpa persuade Alice to do? How is he able to do this?

9. What unexpected event takes place? How does all the activity prior to this event add to the shock and humor of this event?

10. How has this family become so quirky and unusual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Essie and Penny are interested in the arts.

Part 1) What art form does Essie study? In what art forms does Penny participate?

Part 2) Describe these two characters' artistic endeavors. Are they very successful? Do they take themselves and their art seriously? Do others take them seriously? Use the text to support your response.

Part 3) Why do the playwrights have the arts as an important aspect of this play? What message are they trying to convey to the audience?

Essay Topic 2

Ton's parents arrive a day early to dinner.

Part 1) Why? What is Alice's reaction?

Part 2) How does the family try to make the best of the situation? Are they successful? Why or why not?

Part 3) Is their arrival disastrous for the other characters? Does their early arrival weaken or strengthen the family? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Henderson is an unexpected guest to the home.

Part 1) Who is he? Why is he there?

Part 2) How does Grandpa react to Mr. Henderson's arrival? What is the outcome of this situation?

Part 3) How can both audiences of 1936 and audiences of today relate to this encounter? Would many agree or disagree with Grandpa? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,088 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample