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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 was Hal's state of mind when he met Catherine four years ago?

2. Whose idea was it to have the band play at the house after the funeral?

3. What instrument does Hal play?

4. How does Catherine take her coffee?

5. Who interrupts Catherine and Robert's conversation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Robert reveal about Catherine's state of mind in the first scene?

2. How does Hal describe the mathematicians at his conferences?

3. What does Claire plan to do with the house?

4. What has Hal found in the locked drawer, and why is it so important?

5. How does Catherine describe Robert's mathematical processes?

6. Why has Hal come to the house?

7. Describe Hal's mood the morning after he and Catherine sleep together.

8. Describe how Catherine treats the police when they arrive.

9. Are Claire and Catherine very comfortable around one another?

10. Why does Hal think his papers get turned down for publication?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Catherine is angry and upset when Hal steals the notebook. She goes so far as to call the police, though he confesses as soon as she finds it and claims he wanted to give it back to her as a gift.

1.) Though he may have been planning to give it back, Hal attempted to steal on of her late father's possessions. Does Catherine overreact in this situation?

2.) What does Catherine think he may be trying to do with the information in the notebook?

Essay Topic 2

Hal feels some sort of a connection to Catherine. When she is catatonic in bed, he insists to Claire that Catherine may talk to him.

1.) What events my have led Hal to feel more connected with Catherine?

2.) Could he feel guilty and somewhat responsible for her breakdown?

3.) Is Hal a victim of circumstance, or could he have handled the situation more graciously?

Essay Topic 3

Robert is angry when Catherine tells him she is going to school.

1.) Does this instance parallel any other occurrence in the play where a character secretly make a big change?

2.) What is Robert worried about in regards to Catherine starting school?

3.) Is Catherine worried about Robert in this scene? How do their individual fears escalate the conversation?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 657 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample