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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. When did Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend Bobby Watson's funeral?

2. Who is at the door when Mr. Smith opens it?

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

4. Whom does Mr. Smith wish would marry his maid?

5. What poem does Mary recite?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is mediocrity presented in the play?

2. Describe the Mr. and Mrs. Martin's daughter.

3. How is the plot developed in the play?

4. What is the point of the story, "The Headcold"?

5. What official business has the Fire Chief visiting the Smiths?

6. Describe the protagonist and antagonist of the play.

7. Describe the Fire Chief.

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

9. Describe Mr. Martin.

10. Describe the story of "The Snake and the Fox."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the effect the outcome of the play has on the characters. List examples of how the characters have been affected by their conversation. What effect might the outcome of the play have on the audience? Compare and contrast the audience's potential reaction to the play with that of the character's reaction to the evening.

Essay Topic 2

What coincidences exist in the play? How are coincidences used to create humor? List at three specific incidents involving coincidences and discuss how each scene supports the theme of the play.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,170 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample