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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 Lenny tell Ruth about a diseased prostitute?

2. What do Lenny and Max bicker about?

3. When Lenny comes downstairs, what reason does he give for not being able to sleep?

4. Who told Lenny earlier that his father is going to get a surprise in the morning?

5. After she finishes her water, where does Ruth go?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence do we have that Max dominates his brother Sam, as well as his own sons?

2. When Lenny first greets his brother, why does the conversation involve a clock?

3. After Lenny tells Ruth the story about a violent act he once committed, what story does he then tell Ruth about about an old woman?

4. When Teddy arrives at his family's home, what does he find unchanged?

5. Why does Lenny say he is angry at Ruth for calling him by his full name, Leonard?

6. Who is Jessie and what do we learn about her at the beginning of the play?

7. "The Homecoming" takes place in an old London house where four men live. Who are these men and how are they related to each other?

8. What story Lenny tells Ruth after he has asked to hold her hand?

9. Describe Max's attitude toward his brother Sam.

10. During the argument over the glass of water, what does Ruth dare Lenny to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the character of Sam, giving several examples which exemplifies why, although he is a symbol of goodness in the play, he is so ineffective at trying to mediate when it comes to family squabbles.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the occupations of Max, Sam, Teddy, and Joey. Explain why the playwright might have chosen those particular occupations.

Essay Topic 3

Max shows disappointment with his sons. Discuss how Max demonstrates this disappointment, giving specific examples for Lenny, Joey, and Teddy. For what reasons do you think that Max is so clearly disappointed with each of his sons? Comment on whether you think his disappointment in any of his sons is warranted and explain why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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