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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 is likely to happen if a patient gets sent to "seven"?

2. What does Jim tell the doctor is affecting his work negatively?

3. When was Jim's last play?

4. What is the weather like in Act 1, Scene 3?

5. How does Jim appear as Act 2 begins?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jim's theory about life and death, and why his suicide attempt should not been seen as selfish?

2. Why is the conversation between Jim and Ann in Act 1, Scene 3 significant?

3. How are the patients in the convalescent ward described, and what is the contrast between them and Jim in Act 2, Scene 1?

4. What do the actions of the other patients in Act 2, Scene 5 indicate?

5. What is "seven" and what is its purpose in the play?

6. What does Ann do in the beginning of Act 3 that adds to her control over Jim?

7. What is significant about the time of year that the play takes place and what possible reason could the author have had for choosing it?

8. What does Tom say about Ann's family and how is this another example of her control over him?

9. What is a shrike and why did the author choose it for the title of the play?

10. How does Jim respond to Dr. Bellman at the end of Act 2, Scene 4, and what do Ann and the doctor discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain in detail what "seven" is and what it actually represents in terms of Jim's character and the hospital in general. Use the events in the book to analyze how "seven" was used, citing specific examples to illustrate its purpose.

Essay Topic 2

Ann clearly has an agenda.

1) Describe Ann's character in detail, including the personality traits that you think are the most important, and how the author displays them.

2) Explain what Ann's objective is and why she is willing to act in extreme ways to attain it.

3) Why do you think Ann wants Jim to return to their marriage so badly? Describe the events in the book that might lead to the answer.

Essay Topic 3

Dr. Barrow recommends to Ann that she question Jim when he first becomes conscious.

1) What is the doctor's reason for talking to Jim in a semi-conscious state? Why is it relevant to the type of information retrieved from him?

2) Using the information revealed later in the play, how do Jim's initial responses accurately confirm what the doctor stated? Why is this both ironic and symbolic of later events? How is Ann's response an indication of her true motives in the same way that Jim's response reflects his?

(see the answer keys)

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