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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. When Christian presents "two" women "for the price of one" (9) and Mama argues that she cannot support two, what else does he throw into the deal?

2. What type of substance does Mama give to Sophie in order to "help the pain down below" (17)?

3. Sophie tells Salima in Scene 3 of Act One that whenever she sings, she is praying for what?

4. Christian tells Mama that Sophie was "taken with" what type of object and then "left for dead" (12)?

5. In Scene 4 of Act One, which group is NOT mentioned among the throng of people packing the bar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Nottage's goal for writing and producing Ruined, according to the text's introduction.

2. What two pieces of information about Sophie appear to convince Mama to take her in?

3. For what reason does Mama show her raw diamond to Mr. Harari?

4. Who is Jerome Kisembe?

5. What major revelation does Salima share with Sophie in Scene 3 of Act One?

6. What does Christian tell Mama about Sophie's injuries?

7. What sort of establishment does Mama run?

8. Provide evidence of the bond between Sophie and Salima that has grown since their arrival at Mama's.

9. What is the setting of Scene 3 in Act One and what is significant about Nottage's choice of setting?

10. What significant event occurred in Mama's life when she was 11 years old and how did it affect the shape of her future goals?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the central purpose of the work Ruined? What response do you think Nottage wants from the text’s audience? How does each character support Nottage’s purpose?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the ways in which the themes of adaptability and resignation appear within Nottage’s play Ruined. What message is Nottage sending about these two themes over the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

All of the characters in the play have specific yet varied relationships with money. Examine the theme of money in the text and how it affects the various characters.

(see the answer keys)

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