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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. Where does Chater ask Septimus to join him?

2. What is Valentine studying using his mathematical process?

3. What sounds end the scene?

4. What false last name does Chloe give Bernard?

5. Why is Lady Croom vexed with her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Septimus' dialogue reveal about his character?

2. What has Hannah found for Bernard?

3. What is the theory of heat exchange discussed in the scene?

4. How does Septimus avoid a duel with Chater?

5. What details of the duel does Septimus agree to?

6. Why does Thomasina suggest Septimus is churlish with her?

7. Why does Valentine suggest Bernard has "bitten" Hannah?

8. How does Lady Croom's interpretation of "Et in Arcadia ego!" differ from Septimus'?

9. Why is Hannah writing about the garden at Sidley Park?

10. Why is Lady Croom suddenly interested in the piano?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alfred North Whitehead said, "The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order." Does change in Stoppard's play indicate progress? Write an essay in which you explore Stoppard's message about change or progress, using specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the motif of fate or determination in the play. Write an essay in which you use examples of seemingly fated or determined events in the play to explain the author's message.

Essay Topic 3

Especially in Act 2, Scene 7, the piano music and steam engine are overheard in the background. Write an essay in which you explore the significance of either one of these sounds to the message of the play as a whole.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 687 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample