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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 the sheriff threaten to do to Hildy in Act 1, Part 4?

2. What does Hildy assure his girlfriend of in Act 1, Part 4?

3. What is the loud noise heard outside of the press room in Act 1, Part 2?

4. In Act 1, Part 4, how often does Mollie say she saw Williams between the shooting and the trial?

5. What is Jennie cleaning up at the beginning of Act 2, Part 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hildy deal with the sheriff and what tactic does he use that the sheriff interestingly responds to in Act 1, Part 4?

2. What does Williams tell Mollie about the escape and where he has been the whole time in Act 2, Part 4?

3. How does Mollie react to the reporters and what does Murphy do to cause her to leave in Act 1, Part 4?

4. What two different meanings can be interpreted from the way the other reporters react to Hildy's leaving in Act 1, Part 3?

5. What are the true motives of the mayor and the sheriff, as announced in the beginning of Act 2, Part 3?

6. What is surprising about the way Burns reacts to being arrested in the beginning of Act 3, Part 3, and why do you think he reacts that way?

7. What major event happens at the end of Act 1, Part 4, and what surprising decision does it lead Hildy to make?

8. What does Louie report to Burns in Act 3, Part 1, and why is the response of the characters significant?

9. What does Hildy insist on receiving from Burns in return for the story in Act 2, Part 1?

10. What theory does Woodenshoes have about Williams in the beginning of Act 2, Part 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hildy and Peggy's future together is a focal point for The Front Page because it demonstrates many things about Hildy as a character. Outline their relationship in detail as it is depicted in the play. Include the main areas that they share similar views in, as well as the areas that they differ. Also, whether you think Hildy will in fact, be himself with Peggy after the play ends. Or, will he come to struggle with a part of himself that will always be there. Use the play as a reference to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

In Act 2, Part 4, Williams escapes from jail, causing Hildy to act on his reporter's instincts and choose to follow the story. Analyze his decision at that point in the play based on two factors:

1) Was the decision made purely out of instinct, or did he consider the alternatives, and consciously make it?

2) What is the association between Hildy's character and his decision? Based on the kind of person he is and the values he has, did he really have a choice? Why or why not?

Be sure to include specific examples from the play to support your opinions and analysis.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of Act 2, Part 2, it is evident that the senator and the mayor do not agree on things. Explore some of the possibilities for why they have a dislike for each other. Do they represent opposite political views? Is one honest and the other deceitful? What past events might have affected their current opinions of each other? Describe the interaction between them in the play and use those examples to explain your theory.

(see the answer keys)

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