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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 is Michael disappointed in Uncle Jack?

2. What does the storekeeper say the Mundys go through faster than anyone in Ballybeg?

3. How does Kate identify Gerry Evans?

4. What infuriates Kate about Gerry Evans?

5. What does Maggie admire about Brian McGuinness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think Michael means when he talks of a widening breach between what seemed to be and what was?

2. What does Maggie release for Michael to see?

3. What is the difference between the way Kate dances and the dance of the other sisters?

4. How does Kate explain Uncle Jack's strange behavior?

5. After Agnes blows Michael a kiss, she says it was the wrong thing to do. Why would it be the wrong thing to do?

6. Why does Kate become angry when Rose repeats the idea that twins are a double blessing?

7. From what does Kate struggle to protect her home when they joke about naming the radio?

8. Why do you think the parish priest doesn't want to look Kate in the eye since Uncle Jack came home?

9. When Irish music comes from the radio, which of the sisters begins to dance first, and in what mood does she dance?

10. What is significant about the names Nora and Nina that Bernie O'Donnell gave to her twin daughters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rose is described as "simple," yet she is the one who informs the family about goings-on in the village and in the world around them. How do you imagine that she gets this information, and what does it tell you about her and the way the family views her? Use examples from the play to explore Rose's character. Do her sisters understand her? Does she understand them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The character of Uncle Jack has paid a heavy cost in both body and mind to serve the lepers in Ryanga. He has also learned different ways of looking at the world than he had when he left Ireland. Do you see his character as a failure? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Ceremonies are important in this story. Select two of the ceremonies that are described or enacted to compare and contrast. Possibilities might be the silent dance "wedding" of Chris and Gerry Evans, the exchange of hats between Uncle Jack and Gerry Evans, the wild Irish dancing of the five sisters, the Ryangan ceremonies to celebrate the harvest, or the festival of Lughnasa itself.

(see the answer keys)

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