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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. Before he leaves, what comment does the Fire Chief make that causes embarrassment to the other characters?

2. What information does Mr. Smith find missing from the paper?

3. How does the Fire Chief act in response to Mrs. Smith's request?

4. Why is Mr. Smith angry when he meets the Martins?

5. On what street does Mrs. Martin live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the characters react to Mary's poem, "The Fire"?

2. Describe the stereotypes the characters represent.

3. What illogical elements exist in the play?

4. What satirical elements exist in the play?

5. Describe the protagonist and antagonist of the play.

6. Why does the Fire Chief leave the Smiths' house?

7. What argument centers around the Watson family?

8. Who is Bobby Watson?

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

10. Describe Mrs. Martin.

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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