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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 leads to dying, according to Emma?

2. What animal does Wesley say he hears in Act One?

3. What color are the curtains and oilcloth in Act One?

4. What does Weston bring with him in Act One?

5. What does Weston run into in Act One?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Emma's argument for swimming in Act One?

2. What news does Ella have about the house when she returns from meeting with Taylor in Act Two?

3. Why does Weston not care about getting his money for selling the house?

4. Where is Ella when she comes back to the house in Act Three?

5. How does Weston recognize the "poison" on his outlook?

6. What is Weston doing at the beginning of Act Three?

7. Why does Weston think Wesley and Emma are spoiled?

8. Where does Emma think Taylor and Ella went in Act Two?

9. How does Wesley feel himself becoming Weston?

10. According to Weston, what is the trouble with too much comfort?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to the play occurring mostly in the Tate's kitchen, the refrigerator almost becomes another character in the play. Explore the role the refrigerator plays in the story. How does the refrigerator's presence influence the characters and the play's events? What does the refrigerator symbolize? How is the refrigerator involved in the events of the play that help make it "character-like"? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

Sam Shepard's play, "Curse of the Starving Class" emphasizes the family dynamics of the main characters. Describe the family dynamics between Weston, Ella, Emma and Wesley. How does each relate to the others? What problems does the family experience? What joys and accomplishments do the family acknowledge and celebrate? How does an outside person describe the family? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

The lamb Wesley and Weston bring into the house to rid of maggots also plays a significant role in the play. What does the lamb represent? Does the lamb take on different meanings for different characters? Why is the lamb important to the story? Use specific examples from the play in the response.

(see the answer keys)

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