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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 Figaro learn that Bazile tells Bartholo that the Count is in town, has taken rooms at a fancy hotel and is going out every evening in disguise?

2. What has taught Figaro to be so positive.?

3. What does the count do as Figaro continues his story?

4. For whom does Count Almaviva wait?

5. What has the Count recently found out about Rosine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What connection do Rosine and the Count make with the audience after she finishes singing? How do they feel? Why do they feel this way?

2. Why is the Count worried that Rosine might not leave with them to be married?

3. How do you know that Rosine is cunning and intelligent?

4. Who is Figaro? What is he doing as the audience and reader first meet him? What might be his role throughout the play?

5. How does the scene open? Why is the Count dressed in a disguise?

6. Why would the letter from Rosine ask the Count to sing?

7. What does Rosine do with the paper? How might this small prop draw the audience into the story?

8. Where is Bartholo headed? What might be the significance of Bazile?

9. What is Bartholo doing, as this scene opens? Why might she be refusing to take lessons from him?

10. Where can the Count find Figaro after he is in his disguise? Why does Figaro give this much detail about his location?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Figaro sarcastically remarks on Rosine's cleverness.

Part 1) What makes her clever?

Part 2) Why does Figaro make sarcastic remarks about Rosine?

Part 3) How might an audience respond to Figaro's various asides?

Essay Topic 2

The Count and Figaro know one another.

Part 1) How do they know one another?

Part 2) Why does Figaro offer his services to the Count?

Part 3) Why might the playwright have chosen a lowly barber and a prominent Count to be friends and cohorts?

Essay Topic 3

The Count as "Alonzo" gives Rosine voice lessons.

Part 1) What is significant about the song he gives her to sing?

Part 2) How is this song used to add humor to the scene?

Part 3) How does this voice lesson reinforce aspects of commedia dell'arte?

(see the answer keys)

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