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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who takes some of Diana's medication in Act 1, Scene 8?
(a) Henry.
(b) Gabe.
(c) Dan.
(d) Natalie.

2. What does Diana make a huge pile of before collapsing on the floor in Act 1, Scene 1?
(a) Cookies.
(b) Crackers.
(c) Fruit.
(d) Sandwiches.

3. What refers to instructions written into the script of a play, indicating stage actions, movements of performers, or production requirements?
(a) Lines.
(b) Dance numbers.
(c) Stage directions.
(d) Props.

4. What style of music does Henry play in Act 1, Scene 3, as Natalie listens?
(a) Reggae.
(b) Rock.
(c) Blues.
(d) Jazz.

5. Who played the character of Gabe in the original Broadway cast of Next to Normal?
(a) J. Robert Spencer.
(b) Asa Somers.
(c) Louis Hobson.
(d) Aaron Tveit.

Short Answer Questions

1. Gabe's song in Act 1, Scene 8 is intercut with dialogue between Dan and whom?

2. Who vents her anger at being the child always disregarded in favor of her parents' concern about her brother in Act 1, Scene 7?

3. What hard driving rock tune does Diana sing in Act 1, Scene 6?

4. In Act 1, Scene 11, Dr. Madden tries to convince Diana to try the controversial therapy while who attempts to convince her not to try it?

5. What object is a particular trigger for Diana of memories of Gabe in the narrative?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Henry and Natalie doing in Act 1, Scene 4? Who watches them?

2. What takes place at the family dinner in Act 1, Scene 5?

3. What does Dan sing about in the song "It's Gonna Be Good"? Where is he?

4. What is symbolized in Gabe's comment "I own you," in Act 1, Scene 8? What is revealed in this scene regarding his character?

5. How does Gabe's character stand apart from the others in Act 1, Scene 9?

6. What music opens Act 1, Scene 2? What does Natalie sing about in this song?

7. What do the members of the Goodman family sing about in the song "Just Another Day" in Act 1, Scene 1?

8. What is sung about and by whom in the songs "Who's Crazy" / "My Psychopharmacologist and I"?

9. What irony can be seen by the reader or audience member in the character of Gabe?

10. Describe the symbolic and metaphoric elements in Act 1, Scenes 10 and 11. What object becomes important in these scenes and why?

(see the answer keys)

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