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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. How does Paulina feel when she hears Death and the Maiden at a friend's house?

2. What does Paulina say there is none of in the house?

3. How does Paulina feel about the possibility of these people going to trial?

4. What does Gerardo do to calm Paulina?

5. Where is Paulina's mother going?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gerardo tell Paulina was missing from his car and what does she say?

2. With whom is Gerardo speaking and about what?

3. What is Gerard doing with Paulina on the patio at the beginning of Act 3, Scene 1, that she had started before and what interrupted them before?

4. What does Paulina hear while she is hiding?

5. What does Roberto tell Gerardo about his stopping at their house?

6. What does the audience see after Paulina leaves the house?

7. What does Paulina tell Roberto about her and Gerardo?

8. What does Paulina do before she leaves the house?

9. Why does Paulina tell Roberto she is going to kill him even though he has confessed?

10. What does Gerardo tell Roberto?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gerardo continues his plea to indulge Paulina, as she is one of many who feel they need vengeance for past wrongs.

1. Do you think this means that Gerardo has no desire for vengeance? Why or why not?

2. Vengeance can be a two edged sword. What do you think is meant by this in view of Paulina's behavior?

3. Do you think vengeance can restore peace of mind? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Roberto says that he heard about Gerardo's appointment to the Investigating Commission. He also seems very respectful of the role Gerardo will play, in that he will have many duties and worries on his hands shortly, and wants to help remove the trouble with the car.

1. Does Roberto's offer of help and wanting to talk about the commission seem suspicious? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Roberto's offer of help is logical given he has just met Gerardo? Why or why not?

3. Could Roberto's behavior in the statement above be a foreshadowing? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Some audience members may also be shocked by Paulina's act of taking off her panties and stuffing them in Roberto's mouth. It is a moment that defines the disgust she feels for him. It is also a kind of smug revenge, as we shall see in later scenes, or a display of her new-found feminine power, now that she has the upper hand.

1. Do you think the act of Paulina stuffing Roberto's mouth with her panties might indicate some of the torture she endured? Why or why not? What type of torture would it suggest? Why?

2. Paulina now has the upper-hand with a man she believes was one of her captors. Do you think doing what she is starting to do only brings her down to his level? Why or why not?

3. If you found someone you thought had imprisoned you and tortured you what would your response be?

(see the answer keys)

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