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. When traveling to London by train, in which coach does Mrs. Martin sit?

2. According to Mrs. Smith, what did the Smith's son want to drink at dinner?

3. According to the Fire Chief, who rang the doorbell the first two times?

4. What did Mary buy for herself?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Mrs. Martin.

4. What is the purpose of the meaningless banter among the characters?

5. Why does the Fire Chief have difficulty finding a fire?

6. Describe Mrs. Smith.

7. What topic begins the conversation of the play?

8. Describe the story of "The Cock."

9. What comedic coincidences exist in the play?

10. How is Realism used in the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the play's plot developed? What conflicts arise and how are they resolved? How does Ionesco's method of plot development compare to the traditional literary method of creating plot development? What effect does Ionesco's style of plot development have on communicating the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the development of the characters throughout the play. How do the characters relate to each other emotionally? What factors motivate the characters throughout the play? What progress is made in developing relationships by the end of the play?

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)

This section contains 1,135 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample