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

2. Who might pay for the Watson children's schooling?

3. Why is it difficult to identify the members of the Watson clan?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Mr. and Mrs. Martin's daughter.

2. What official business has the Fire Chief visiting the Smiths?

3. Describe Mrs. Martin.

4. Describe the story of the calf that gave birth to a cow.

5. How do the characters deviate from their assigned stations in life?

6. What argument erupts over the doorbell?

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

8. Describe the protagonist and antagonist of the play.

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

10. What conflicts arise in the play and how are they resolved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe the effect the outcome of the play has on the characters. List examples of how the characters have been affected by their conversation. What effect might the outcome of the play have on the audience? Compare and contrast the audience's potential reaction to the play with that of the character's reaction to the evening.

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of the clock in the play? What significance does time have for the characters? What parallels can be drawn between the chiming of the clock and the progress of the action and dialogue?

(see the answer keys)

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