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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. In the first scene, after the Woman clears the dishes, what does she take with her out of the room?

2. Who is the author of "The Sound of a Voice"?

3. In Scene 1, the Woman reveals that she does not have many what?

4. Why does the Man say he can do so much work?

5. What is the Man disturbed by in Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Woman say she wanted to do for both herself and the Man in the final scene?

2. What does the Woman say about her dreams, and what does she say she dreamed of?

3. What does the Man's hesitation to reveal his destination to the Woman in Scene Two reveal about how he feels about the Woman that has carried over from their first meeting?

4. What does the Woman say she taught herself to do, and why?

5. What does the Woman threaten to do to the Man if he does not listen to her while he is meditating, and what is the Man's response to the threat?

6. What does the Man look at at night in the fourth scene, and what does this imply about his feelings?

7. What happens after the Man and Woman bid each other goodnight on the first night they meet?

8. What does the Man reveal to the Woman about his true purpose in visiting her?

9. What does the Woman say about her name?

10. What does the Woman say about her flowers in Scene 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The play can be defined as a tragedy. The death of the Woman and the loneliness and suffering of the characters dramatically shape the plot of the play. Answer the following with supporting examples:

1) How does the author create a feeling of misfortune and doom throughout the play?

2) How does the fate of the characters create a tragic ending?

3) In your opinion, was the fate of the Man and the Woman inevitable? Does this make the ending more or less tragic?

Essay Topic 2

The use of symbolism throughout "The Sound of a Voice" has significant impact on the understanding of the plot. Using supporting examples, answer the following questions:

1) What objects provide significant symbolism throughout the play? What do these things represent?

2) What are some less significant sources of symbolism that enrich the play and the audience's understanding of the events?

Essay Topic 3

The plot of "The Sound of a Voice" illustrates the lives of the Man and the Woman over a short span of time. Answer the following questions with supporting examples:

1) How does the organization of the play influence the plot of the story?

2) How does the short period together affect the way the characters are portrayed to interact with each other?

3) Why did the author choose to focus on such a short span of time? How does this affect the presentation of the play as a theatrical performance?

(see the answer keys)

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