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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. Why has Claire delayed her flight back home?

2. What does Hal have to give to Robert?

3. Why does Claire give the object to Hal?

4. Why is Hal skeptical about Catherine's claim?

5. Why can't Robert concentrate in the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Claire think is the problem with mathematicians in emotional situations?

2. Where has Catherine come from to check on Robert?

3. Why is the date in the scene particularly significant?

4. Why or why not does Catherine want to attend the University of Chicago?

5. Why is Robert so excited about working?

6. Why is Claire worried about Catherine?

7. How does Catherine meet Hal?

8. Does Claire believe that Catherine wrote the proof? Why or why not?

9. How do Robert's feelings differ between Catherine and Claire?

10. What decision has Catherine made about school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Catherine is a complex character: for a young person, she has held an extraordinary amount of responsibility. However, according to her sister Claire, Catherine now cannot take care of herself.

1.) Cite three instances in the text where Claire's argument can be made, and Catherine's behavior is reprehensible.

2.) Is Claire justified in stepping into Catherine's life? In selling the house? In moving Catherine to New York?

3.) Is Claire trying to help Catherine out of a sense of sisterly love, or misplaced guilt over Robert's death?

Essay Topic 3

Claire says that mathematician don't think: they just create catastrophes and expect other people to come in and clean them up.

1.) How is this true of Robert? Of Hal? Of Catherine?

2.) Does Claire feel she is cleaning up Hal's mess? Robert's mess?

3.) Does Claire feel that Robert should have been in professional care? How would this have changed events in the play?

(see the answer keys)

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