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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 complaint does Mrs. Smith have about men?

2. What is the Fire Chief's verbal answer to Mrs. Smith's request?

3. Why can't the Fire Chief retell the story of "The Headcold"?

4. What observation does Mr. Smith make about the human heart?

5. According to the Fire Chief, why did the young woman asphyxiate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the characters emotionally distant and disconnected?

2. What revelation does Mary give about the Martin family?

3. Describe Mrs. Smith.

4. What ironic elements exist in the play?

5. What comedic coincidences exist in the play?

6. What unspoken rules of society are broken by the characters?

7. How is contradiction used as a literary device?

8. What dull story does Mrs. Martin tell to amaze Mr. Martin and the Smiths?

9. What cycle exists in the play?

10. Who is Bobby Watson?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,576 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample