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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 does Elyot believe is the cruelest thing he and Amanda could do?

2. What is Sibyl's nickname for Elyot?

3. According to Elyot, how does he feel about Amanda?

4. What does Sibyl want to avoid?

5. Why do Amanda and Elyot choose to flee to Amanda's flat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Elyot's pastime of traveling the world imply about his character?

2. What would be the best way to describe the relationship between each of the married couples?

3. Why would Victor say to Amanda that she was frightening him?

4. In Act I, Amanda proclaims to Victor that women should hold some mystery. Later, Elyot tells her that she holds no mystery for him and she responds that she is glad. Why?

5. When Elyot implores Sibyl that they must leave the hotel, Sibyl is uncharacteristically firm and stubborn about staying. What happened throughout the act that may have given her more of a backbone?

6. Why do Amanda and Elyot choose Paris to run away to?

7. What are Victor and Sibyl's attitudes on the subject of their spouses' previous marriage?

8. To Sibyl's dismay, Elyot does not care for her mother and believes that Sibyl married him in part to escape her. What do the differing attitudes about the mother reveal about Sibyl's character?

9. When discussing the possibility of getting a sunburn, Amanda remarks to Victor, "I did so hope our honeymoon was going to be progressive" in response to his declaration that he could not love her anymore than he already does. What does this statement portend about Amanda's views on relationships, particularly her marriage to Victor?

10. What is the significance of "Solomon Isaacs?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Private Lives" is known for sharp, witty dialogue. What role does the dialogue play in this story? How does it add to the plot, humor, and character development?

Essay Topic 2

Amanda and Elyot have a deep, involved history of being passionately in love and being just as violently hateful toward each other.

1) Compare and contrast the relationship between Amanda and Elyot versus their relationships with Victor and Sibyl. Discuss the similarities and differences using specific examples from the script.

2) How do you believe the new marriages would have worked out had Elyot and Amanda not run away together? Specifically, would Elyot and Amanda have been able to reconcile their "private lives" to their new spouses?

3) In your opinion, should Elyot and Amanda ever again attempt to stay together? Support your arguments with specific examples from the script.

Essay Topic 3

In the world of this play, does it seem that love cannot exist without violence? How do violence and passion relate to each other or do they at all? Cite specific examples from the script to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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