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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 does Alice say about everything in the world?

2. What does Alice ask her family to do?

3. From where does the patriarch of this zany family come home?

4. Why does Alice assume Tony will not be able to accept her family?

5. What does this person show Alice?

Short Essay Questions

1. Would Tony's family be so accepting of Alice? Why or why not?

2. What does the doorbell announce? What might the audience members be thinking, before it is discovered who has rung the doorbell?

3. How does Penny try to ease tension? Why does this not work?

4. 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?

5. What has this embarrassing incident done to Alice? How would you feel, if you were Alice?

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

7. How does Mr. Kirby respond to Grandpa's philosophy? How do the Kirbys and Sycamores begin to become one cohesive family?

8. What is the outcome of Grandpa's tax evasion? What might be the response of audience members?

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

10. Why does Tony accept Alice's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grandpa Vanderhof is the patriarch of the family.

Part 1) What was his previous career? Why does he leave this career?

Part 2) How does this decision affect the rest of the family?

Part 3) Do you agree with his view on life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Tony's parents are significant characters.

Part 1) What do they represent? How can the audience member and reader relate to them?

Part 2) Compare and contrast them to the Vanderhof/Sycamore family.

Part 3) How do the Kirbys change throughout the play? Why?

Part 4) How do you feel about this change in them? Why do you feel this way?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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