View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Mr. Smith, what is the reason for a ringing doorbell?

2. What is unusual about the dialogue on the last page of the play?

3. How does Mary contradict Mr. and Mrs. Martin's conclusion?

4. What is unusual about Mrs. Smith's statement about having changed her dress?

5. What food does the Smith's daughter prefer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the play parody English society?

2. Describe the plot behind Mrs. Smith's story of the man who bought flowers.

3. Why is "The Bald Soprano" also called "the anti-play"?

4. How do the characters react to Mary's poem, "The Fire"?

5. Describe the story of the calf that gave birth to a cow.

6. What comedic coincidences exist in the play?

7. Describe the story of "The Cock."

8. What point is Ionesco attempting to make about conversation?

9. How are the characters emotionally distant and disconnected?

10. How does Mr. Smith know the Fire Chief?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the characteristics of the style "Theater of the Absurd". How does absurdist drama communicate its theme? How does this style differ from other traditional forms of drama? What is the purpose of an absurdist play?

Essay Topic 2

What cycle or cycles are evident in the play? How is dialogue and action used to develop the cycle(s)? What purpose do these cycles serve and how do they communicate the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 3

How is language altered in the play? What is the purpose of altering the language and how do the alterations affect the flow of conversation? Define three specific points where language is suddenly altered, and hypothesize as to the reason behind those sudden changes.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,196 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample