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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. Why does Mrs. Martin want the Fire Chief to retell the story of "The Headcold"?

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

3. Which line causes an abrupt break in the action?

4. What does Mrs. Martin offer to trade for a coffin?

5. Why did Mrs. Smith find no one at the door the third time the doorbell rang?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mr. Smith know the Fire Chief?

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

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

4. How is repetition used as a literary device?

5. How are the characters emotionally distant and disconnected?

6. What ironic elements exist in the play?

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

8. What is the significance of the mirror?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which characters from the play appear to be "imaginary?" What is the purpose of describing these nonexistent characters? How do the characters who are not physically present in the play affect the dialogue and action?

Essay Topic 2

How are emotional responses elicited from the audience during the play? List the emotional responses you feel Ionesco was attempting to elicit from the audience and the techniques he used to evoke those emotions. How do Ionesco's techniques compare to those found in more traditional plays? How important is the audience's emotional connection to the dialogue and action in communicating the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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