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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. What comment does Mr. Martin make about Mary's poem?

2. What is unusual about the lighting at the end of the last scene?

3. Which character does Mrs. Smith advise to read poetry before a mirror?

4. What appears unusual about Mr. and Mrs. Martin's relationship during their first scene?

5. What is the mood of the characters in the last scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What conflicts arise in the play and how are they resolved?

2. How are nonsensical words used in the play?

3. Why are the Smiths angry with Mary when she announces the arrival of the Martins?

4. How is mediocrity presented in the play?

5. How does Mr. Smith know the Fire Chief?

6. Describe the setting of the play.

7. What comedic coincidences exist in the play?

8. What is the significance of the Martins beginning the play at the end of the drama?

9. Describe the story of the calf that gave birth to a cow.

10. Describe the Fire Chief.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are situations from daily life incorporated into the play? How does Ionesco use the setting of the play to create the illusion of reality? How does the setting of the play affect the dialogue and action?

Essay Topic 2

How is the play's plot developed? What conflicts arise and how are they resolved? How does Ionesco's method of plot development compare to the traditional literary method of creating plot development? What effect does Ionesco's style of plot development have on communicating the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 3

How is irony used to advance the action of the play and express the theme? What role does sarcasm play in the play's irony? How are irony and sarcasm effective tools when used in the context of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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