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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 picture is Hanschen addressing in Act II, Scene 3?

2. What is the purpose of the letter from Melchior that Mr. Gabor shows his wife?

3. What explanation does Mrs. Bergmann give to Wendla's question in Act II, Scene 2?

4. Where does the last scene of the play take place?

5. What does Melchior resign himself to doing in reform school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Moritz believe he will be promoted to the next grade based off his discussion with Melchior in Act II, scene 3?

2. What game does Melchior initially not participate in at reform school? Why does he change his mind?

3. Describe the scene between Ernst and Hanschel.

4. What claims does the masked man make to Melchior and Moritz?

5. What philosophy does Melchior claim to believe? What action follows in the hayloft?

6. How does Mrs. Bergmann explain sex to Wendla after Ina has a baby?

7. What is significant about the singer Moritz thinks about in Act II, scene 7?

8. Why does Moritz commit suicide at the end of Act II?

9. What advice and favor does Mrs. Gabor offer to Moritz?

10. Why is Mrs. Gabor concerned about Moritz and Melchior reading Faust? How is this significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the purpose of the masked man? How do Moritz and Melchior react to him? What are some of the man's possible identities? What does he claim about his relationships to Moritz and Melchior? What is the significance of Melchior leaving with the masked man at the end of the play? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of the title Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy.Points to consider include the implications of the season of "spring" being used, the contradictory nature of the main title and subtitle, and the purpose of this specifically being a "children's tragedy."

Essay Topic 3

Early in the play, Moritz says, "Melchior, don't you also think that man's sense of shame is just a product of his education?" One of the themes of this play deals with the enforced ignorance of the younger generation and the natural ignorance of the adults. Write an essay about the use of ignorance in this play as it relates to Moritz's statement in the following format:

Part 1) Discuss Mrs. Bergmann's insistence on keeping Wendla innocent.

Part 2) Discuss the adults being unaware of Moritz's torment and Wendla's pregnancy.

Part 3) Discuss the ignorance of nearly all the students about sex and pregnancy.

Part 4) Discuss the reaction Melchior's knowledge of sex has on the adults.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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