Visit to a Small Planet | 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. Explain Powers' complaint at the beginning of the play in terms of what he has been given as responsibility, and who he blames for the change.

2. What does Powers tell Roger about the reality of the UFO, and why does he threaten to indict Roger under the Revised Espionage Act?

3. Explain why Roger is upset about Powers' revelations on the UFO, and what he tries to do about it.

4. Why is Ellen upset with Conrad about a goat?

5. What happened when Conrad and...
(read more)