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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 is the relationship between the two characters who are up early at the beginning of Act I, Scene 3?

2. As Lenny joins the conversation that Ruth, Lenny, and Teddy have been engaged in after lunch, what subject does Lenny ask Teddy about?

3. According to Max, what made Sam a bad son?

4. After lunch, Max abruptly turns his attention from reminiscing to Sam. Who does he compare Sam to?

5. What does Joey say when Max tells him that he will have time to do what he needs to do and still be able to go with Max?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Max's initial reaction to Ruth.

2. What kind of response does Teddy make to his brothers' caressing Ruth?

3. By the end of the first act, which characters has Max not physically or verbally abused?

4. According to Teddy, how is Ruth different since their marriage?

5. What kinds of demands does Ruth make on the brothers?

6. By the end of the first act, which characters has Max abused both verbally and physically?

7. Why does Max hit Joey?

8. What comparison does Ruth make when referring to the relationship between words and actions?

9. In what ways does Max compare his father with Sam?

10. When Teddy and Ruth come downstairs and surprise Max, what is the first thing he wants to know?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In your opinion, is the ending of the play a.) satisfactory and b.) plausible? Explain by giving specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Teddy wants his family's respect, however, he fails to stand up for himself as a husband. What explanation can be given for the way he simply stands by and lets Ruth be convinced to stay with his family? What, if anything, does Teddy do to try to get Ruth to leave with him? What does this say about Teddy and Ruth's relationship? What does it say about their character?

Essay Topic 3

In your opinion, which character is in the best position to make positive changes in the family's dynamics? Explain why you have chosen this character and what specifically you think this character could possibly do to bring about some change.

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