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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. How many serfs does Bolshintsov have?

2. Which characters see Vera and Beliayev in the garden together in Act 2, Part 2?

3. What friend has been writing to Vera, hoping that she'll write back?

4. According to Natalya, what is one of nature's primary characteristics?

5. Beliayev mentions that whose birthday is next week?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Beliayev, according to Natalya's report in Act 1, Part 1.

2. Why does Natalya say to Rakitin, "It's wrong to put one's life in chains"? What does she mean?

3. Why is Islayev surprised to find Natalya and Rakitin in the hallway in Act 4, Part 3?

4. Why does Shpigelski state that he believes Natalya's level of bile is bothering her?

5. Why do Natalya and Rakitin resolve to "educate" Beliayev?

6. For what does Natalya ask Rakitin's help in Act 3, Part 1? How does Rakitin respond?

7. What does Natalya mean when she tells Rakitin, "Sometimes when we talk together it's exactly as though [...] we were making lace"?

8. Why did Islayev never previously intervene in the relationship between Natalya and Rakitin?

9. According to Act 2, Part 1, why do Vera and Beliayev get along so well? Explain.

10. In Act 1, Part 2, how does Shpigelski respond to the question, "How are you?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Turgenev uses minor characters for comic relief in the play.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the significance of Katya and Anna in propelling the plot forward.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Natalya's tendency to manipulate others, and then compare it with what happens when Vera manipulates her.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample