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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 is the trade held by all the Watsons?

2. Which part of the alphabet does Mr. Smith quote in the last scene?

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

4. How does Mrs. Smith offer to help the Fire Chief?

5. According to Mr. Martin, what is below the ceiling?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the conversation among the Smiths and the Martins change after the Fire Chief leaves?

3. How do the characters deviate from their assigned stations in life?

4. What role does the clock play in the drama?

5. How are nonsensical words used in the play?

6. Describe the stereotypes the characters represent.

7. How is the plot developed in the play?

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

9. What argument erupts over the doorbell?

10. How does the Fire Chief settle the argument over the doorbell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How are emotional responses elicited from the audience during the play? List the emotional responses you feel Ionesco was attempting to elicit from the audience and the techniques he used to evoke those emotions. How do Ionesco's techniques compare to those found in more traditional plays? How important is the audience's emotional connection to the dialogue and action in communicating the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of the clock in the play? What significance does time have for the characters? What parallels can be drawn between the chiming of the clock and the progress of the action and dialogue?

(see the answer keys)

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