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. Annie walks into the scene with a bag of _________ in her hands.

2. Henry reminds Charlotte of a time they were in _______ that had an open air dance hall.

3. Charlotte states that when he took her to St. Moritz was a turning point and his favorite album was ________.

4. When Henry leaves to pick up Debbie, Annie tells Henry not to get kicked by a horse. Henry tells her not to get kicked by _______.

5. Max asks the whereabouts of Debbie and Henry replies_______.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is playing in the background as Annie and Max are talking with each other during this scene of the play?

2. What does Max shout to the person who has opened the door at the start of the play?

3. Why does Henry fetch a cricket bat in order to explain the process of writing to Annie?

4. Describe the position of Annie at the start of this scene. Where is she and what is she doing?

5. In relation to the play, what do Henry and Annie banter about during this scene?

6. What is Henry supposed to do during his time on the radio program, which is what he is preparing for at the start of the scene?

7. What are the indications that time has passed as this particular scene opens up to the audience?

8. What are some of the questions that Henry asks Annie during the following scene in this act?

9. What is the tangent that Charlotte goes off on when talking with Debbie and Henry?

10. What is happening in the hotel room as the lights come up on the stage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brodie's writing is noted as being less effective than Henry's writing, but art is something that is quite subjective in terms of its worth to a reader or to an audience.

Part 1: How do the characters in the play define good or bad writing?

Part 2: Why do you think Brodie's writing is seen as less effective than Henry's writing?

Part 3: How can art ever be reasonably judged by others? Or can't it?

Essay Topic 2

The continued affairs in this play seem to show that love is not something that can be monogamous or that can be relied upon between a man and a woman.

Part 1: How do you define the idea of an affair?

Part 2: Why do you think that affairs are so common within the context of this play?

Part 3: Do you think it's realistic for someone to stay with just one person throughout his/her life?

Essay Topic 3

The title of the play, THE REAL THING, seems to be almost a joke to the characters and to the author of the play.

Part 1: How do you define the idea of the 'real thing' in relation to this play and to its events?

Part 2: Are there any characters in this play who seem to have the 'real thing'? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think the title was chosen for this play? Do you agree that it's the best choice? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 788 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample