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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 did Mary buy for herself?

2. According to the Fire Chief, who puts out the Vicar's fires?

3. In the Fire Chief's story, "The Cock", which animal did the cock wish to play?

4. In Mary's poem, what was burning?

5. According to Mrs. Martin, when can one sit down in a chair?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does the Fire Chief have difficulty finding a fire?

3. What satirical elements exist in the play?

4. What effect does the outcome of the play have on the characters?

5. Why does the Fire Chief leave the Smiths' house?

6. What cycle exists in the play?

7. Describe Mr. Smith.

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

9. What argument centers around the Watson family?

10. How is contradiction used as a literary device?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What societal rules are broken in the play and how does the blatant disregard for other characters feelings reflect the value each character places on the others? Based on their actions within the society on stage, what value do the characters place on themselves? How does the disregard for others feelings contrast with the appearance of polite English society the characters attempt to emulate?

Essay Topic 2

How are satire and parody used to expose different aspects of the theme? What elements are exposed to ridicule and mimicked? How does Ionesco use humor to condemn the behavior of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Why is "The Bald Soprano" considered an "anti-play?" What elements of traditional script development have been changed? How does the "anti-play" express its theme without the traditional elements of literature?

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