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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. After reading a few lines of the play Henry is frustrated that he can't write ______.

2. Max found the passport in ________.

3. Annie says that Henry is not normal because she does not think he gets _________.

4. Charlotte offers a toast to the collapse of ________.

5. The doorbell rings and Henry takes the record off the machine. The person at the door is _______.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Henry and what his line of work is at the current moment.

2. What does Annie tell Billy as he continues to flirt with her on the train to Scotland?

3. What kind of scene are Billy and Annie rehearsing at the start of the eighth scene of the second act?

4. What does Billy reveal about his feelings towards Annie as they are together in this scene?

5. What does Annie do when a young man approaches her and talks to her?

6. What is happening in the hotel room as the lights come up on the stage?

7. What does the current stage direction say that the room in the scene looks like in comparison to the room in Act 1, Scene 2?

8. What does Henry say when Annie tells him that he should have put her things back in their proper places?

9. What is Henry supposed to do during his time on the radio program, which is what he is preparing for at the start of the scene?

10. What is revealed about Billy and Annie as they continue to talk during this particular scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many writers choose to write about what they know as they are much more able to capture their feelings within the context of a play than they might be able to capture their feelings in real life.

Part 1: Why do you think writing is a way in which people deal with their feelings?

Part 2: If the play is based on the life of the playwright, what do you learn about Stoppard from the play and its characters?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible that Stoppard may not have written about his life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Brodie's writing is noted as being less effective than Henry's writing, but art is something that is quite subjective in terms of its worth to a reader or to an audience.

Part 1: How do the characters in the play define good or bad writing?

Part 2: Why do you think Brodie's writing is seen as less effective than Henry's writing?

Part 3: How can art ever be reasonably judged by others? Or can't it?

Essay Topic 3

The concept of a love triangle is introduced almost immediately within this play. The tension between lovers is a great dramatic effect for the audience, after all.

Part 1: Why do you think love triangles are so often used within plays and other stories?

Part 2: Do you think this play would have been as interesting without the love triangles? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you believe the idea of a love triangle is a realistic and prevalent part of love? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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