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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. When traveling to London by train, in what class compartment does Mrs. Martin ride?

2. Why does Mrs. Smith kiss the Fire Chief?

3. Why can't Mrs. Smith read the clock?

4. In the Fire Chief's story, "The Cock", which animal did the cock wish to play?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Mr. Smith.

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

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

6. What illogical elements exist in the play?

7. What point is Ionesco attempting to make about conversation?

8. How do Mary and the Fire Chief shock the Smiths and the Martins?

9. Describe Mrs. Smith.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is irony used to advance the action of the play and express the theme? What role does sarcasm play in the play's irony? How are irony and sarcasm effective tools when used in the context of the play?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,182 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample