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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. Who does the Young Woman complain to?

2. How do the Old Woman and the prisoner communicate?

3. In what country does "Mountain Language" take place?

4. What does the Old Woman cradle in her hand as she waits at the prison wall?

5. What time did the women arrive at the prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does the Old Woman follow the new rule in Act 4?

2. Why does Sarah attempt to negotiate with the Sergeant?

3. Is the Old Woman brave?

4. Why does the guard prod the Old Woman with a stick as she talks to her son?

5. Why is the prisoner trembling at the beginning of Act 4?

6. Why are the rules for dogs absurd in Act 1?

7. Why is the Sergeant annoyed when he enters in Act 3?

8. Can the Old Woman understand the language of the capital?

9. Is Sarah surprised to see her husband?

10. Who is the most helpless character in Act 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Sergeant is the only character who appears in every scene and is the most senior person in the prison. Discuss his roles as both protagonist and antagonist and his importance to the play, both in subtlety and blatant action.

Essay Topic 2

Although all the characters in Mountain Language are opposites, each shares some similar element (either in attitude or family). Discuss and compare the characters of the play to find the meaning in their similarities.

Essay Topic 3

Language among the characters is a key tool. The officers use curse words to intimidate the women, while the women are forbidden to speak mountain language. Discuss the dilemma that language use brings to the play and its significance.

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