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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. According to Mr. Martin, if a person sells an ox today, what will he have tomorrow?

2. How does Mary contradict Mr. and Mrs. Martin's conclusion?

3. What food does the Smith's daughter prefer?

4. Which character suddenly says, "I've been goosed."?

5. To what does Mr. Smith compare doctors and their patients?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the protagonist and antagonist of the play.

2. Describe Mr. Smith.

3. What satirical elements exist in the play?

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

5. How did Mary spend her day before the Martins arrive?

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

7. Describe Mary.

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

9. Why is "The Bald Soprano" also called "the anti-play"?

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

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 is conversation utilized in the play? What topics are discussed throughout the conversation? How do characters interact with each other throughout the conversation? Is the conversation productive?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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