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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. What does the couple watch as the scene closes?
(a) Two squirrels gathering nuts.
(b) A mama bear and her cub lumbering along the shoreline.
(c) A pair of trumpeter swans on the lake.
(d) A pair of loons out on the lake.

2. In what year is the house at Golden Pond built?
(a) 1899.
(b) 1940.
(c) 1914.
(d) 1928.

3. What is the job of the character Ethel meets in the woods?
(a) Lawyer.
(b) Physician.
(c) Mail carrier.
(d) Lumberjack.

4. Why do Chelsea and her boyfriend leave young Billy with Norman and Ethel Thayer?
(a) His camp canceled their summer program.
(b) He doesn't have any grandparents so wants them to be that to him.
(c) They are going to Europe.
(d) He needs to be taught how to behave around older people.

5. What does Charlie offer to do for Ethel and Norman?
(a) Repair the well pump.
(b) Fix the small leak in the motorboat.
(c) Fix the screen door.
(d) Fix the plumbing under the sink.

Short Answer Questions

1. At whose picture does Norman look?

2. What does Ethel plan to do with the berries she's picked?

3. Who does Norman yell to to ask him/her to open the door?

4. What seems sad to Charlie?

5. Who is knocking on the door?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give a brief description of the setting at the opening of the play.

2. What does Charlie suggest about the broken screen door; what is Ethel's reply and why do you think she responds the way she does?

3. What does Charlie say about Chelsea and children and what does this possibly reveal about Charlie as a person?

4. Another bit of conversation at the end of this scene is indicative of a recurrent theme of this play. Describe the conversation and briefly say what the theme is you think it is bringing up.

5. What question does Norman ask Charlie and what is the implication of Charlie's answer?

6. Describe the interaction between Ethel and Norman in this scene and say what you think it may mean.

7. Describe the scene and conversation about Elmer.

8. What picture does Norman pick up and what is the story behind it?

9. Give a brief synopsis of Ethel and Charlie's conversation and what the author may be showing through this conversation.

10. Who visits Norman and Ethel and what do they leave there?

(see the answer keys)

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