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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 Beliayev's favorite part of a newspaper?

2. For what does Kolya request some glue?

3. How many sisters does Beliayev have?

4. Whom does Natalya call "Mr. Detective"?

5. Which character claims to be a "practical sort of person"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Natalya's childhood.

2. According to Act 4, Part 3, what is Beliayev's reason for not having been personable with Natalya previously?

3. How does Shpigelski's song at the end of Act 4, Part 1 relate to Natalya's problem with Beliayev and Vera?

4. Summarize Beliayev's response to Natalya's revelation that Vera is in love with him.

5. What does Natalya mean when she tells Rakitin, "Sometimes when we talk together it's exactly as though [...] we were making lace"?

6. Why does Natalya send Vera away so suddenly in Act 3, Part 2?

7. According to his soliloquy in Act 4, Part 2, what does Beliayev think about the events that have transpired with Natalya and Vera?

8. For what does Natalya ask Rakitin's help in Act 3, Part 1? How does Rakitin respond?

9. Describe what Islayev does for a living.

10. Describe the difference between Rakitin's and Islayev's plans for Rakitin to leave.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of fruit in the play, and offer at least one other example of an object that has some significance.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of youth versus old age, including specific examples of its occurrence in the play.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of soliloquy in the play and how it affects readers' knowledge of events.

(see the answer keys)

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