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

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

3. According to Mrs. Smith, what other position does a Fire Chief hold?

4. According to the Fire Chief, who rang the doorbell the third time?

5. According to Mr. Smith, what must one always think of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mary.

2. Describe the protagonist and antagonist of the play.

3. What drama unfolds as the Martins wait for the Smiths?

4. Describe Mr. Smith.

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

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

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

8. Describe Mrs. Martin.

9. How does the play parody English society?

10. What cycle exists in the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does the lack of logic affect the dialogue and action among the characters? What effect does illogical reasoning have on the stability of the conversation? List at three specific incidents involving illogical reasoning or behavior and discuss how each scene supports the theme of the play.

(see the answer keys)

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