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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 is the Prisoner doing at the beginning of Act 2?

2. Why is the Officer so irritated at the beginning of Act 1?

3. The Officer says the women are _______ people.

4. The Sergeant says: "But you're not saying they're without _______!"

5. What is the guard's attitude towards the Old Woman and the Prisoner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sarah attempt to negotiate with the Sergeant?

2. Which rule(s) have changed in Act 4?

3. What will happen to these characters after the conclusion of Act 2?

4. Is the Sergeant generally apologetic that Sarah is in the room?

5. Why is there no set description in Act 1?

6. What is the significance of language in Act 4?

7. Why does the Sergeant show Sarah her husband?

8. Is the Old Woman brave?

9. What is the relevance of the voice-over in Act 2?

10. Why is the Sergeant annoyed when he enters in Act 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are elements of the setting (both time and physical) that are very concrete or very abstract. Discuss this use of ambiguous setting to develop an explanation Pinter's goal in using this type of setting.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss what the capital signifies: how it defines general humanity and society and what it represents.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what Sarah Johnson's character reveals about women in the context of the play and its broader statement about humanity.

(see the answer keys)

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