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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 Tess's school project?

2. What does Geoffrey say about his relationship with Pfeni?

3. Where was Merv prior to arriving at Sara's house in Act 1, Scene 2?

4. When Pfeni tells a story about their childhood in New York, what does Sara feel she is doing?

5. Before Geoffrey met Pfeni, with whom did he live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is represented by Sara's rejection of the statue of Shiva?

2. What is represented by Pfeni's traveling with shopping bags and how is this indicated in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. What is indicated about Tess's political views in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. Why might Tess being doing her school project at the opening of Act 1, Scene 1?

5. In Act 1, Scene 3, what can be inferred from Sara's participation--or lack thereof--in the political discussions that occur?

6. How does Sara act toward Merv in Act 1, Scene 2?

7. What can be discerned about the sisters' father?

8. Describe the character of Merv.

9. What is Sara's opinion of Geoffrey and Pfeni's relationship, and how is this revealed?

10. What are some of the things learned about Sara's surgery and her feelings about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Gorgeous. How is she deeper than she might appear at first glance? What truths does she see about her sisters?

Essay Topic 2

Though the play is not a musical, music plays a part. The play opens with the girls' choir, and it closes with a mother and daughter singing. Music is a big part of Geoffrey's life, and listening to records is part of Merv and Sara's courtship. Song and dance is performed more than once in the play. Discuss the role of music in the play and what it represents in various scenes and to various characters.

Essay Topic 3

What is the nature of the relationships between mothers and daughters? Though the three sisters' mother, Rita, is unseen in this play, enough hints and revelations are offered that we know a bit about her and her relationship with Pfeni, Gorgeous, and Sara. In addition, Sara and Tess have a relationship very much present in the play.

1) Offer a statement about the relationship between mothers and daughters as depicted in this play.

2) Using the sisters and Tess and Sara, offer evidence for this view of the nature of mothers and daughters.

(see the answer keys)

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