View a FREE sample

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 the mood of the characters in the last scene?

3. Why can't Mrs. Smith read the clock?

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

5. What city do the Martin's have in common?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How are pity and fear used to evoke a response from the audience?

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

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

5. What point is Ionesco attempting to make about conversation?

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

7. What is the significance of the mirror?

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

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

10. How is the play both a comedy and a tragedy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

What stereotypes are found within the play? What is the purpose of each stereotype? Is any change evident in the development of the characters, and how does character development affect the progress of the action?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,441 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample