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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. Who is the nearest thing to a son to Peck?

2. What is the Li'l Bit's family eating at the family dinner scene?

3. Who or what is Li'l Bit's constant companion in her dorm room?

4. What college course does Li'l Bit tell her family about?

5. Who does Peck take fishing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Li'l Bit say that Peck can be a brain surgeon?

2. Peck talks Li'l Bit into lying beside him in the bed, promising nothing happens. Li'l Bit agrees. How does this make her feel?

3. Describe Peck's special place.

4. What does Peck pantomime in the first scene?

5. Why are there only chairs used as props in "How I Learned to Drive"?

6. Explain Peck's theory of "fire" and people.

7. The last time Peck is seen alive, he is drinking at a bar after being rejected by Li'l Bit. Li'l Bit sums up the rest of his life at this point. What happens to Peck?

8. Li'l Bit leaves for college. What types of gifts does Peck send her?

9. What frightens Li'l Bit about the attention that Peck shows her when she moves away?

10. How does Li'l Bit get her name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cars and driving are an important theme in this play. Describe what cars and driving represent in "How I Learned to Drive", and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Mother and Grandma have different attitudes about sex. Explain what they are and why they're so different.

Essay Topic 3

"How I Learned to Drive" uses minimal props. For example, a charge is just two chairs. Action is often pantomimed, such as the act of driving or eating. Give other examples of the minimal set and explain why the author does this.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 572 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample