Picnic | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1

1. What is the setting for the play?

2. Which characters live in the two homes?

3. Who is Hal and how is he introduced in the scene?

4. How do Madge and Hal meet?

5. What does Millie dream of when she hears the train whistle in the distance?

6. What does Madge dream of when she hears the train whistle in the distance?

7. What are Flo's intentions regarding Madge and her boyfriend, Alan?