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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. What was Lopakhin doing before he fell asleep in the opening of Act I?

2. What does Yepikhodov request that Dunyasha bring him when he enters in Act I?

3. Where has Peter Kosoy gone to live, according to Gayev in Act I?

4. Who takes Lyubov's pills from her in Act I?

5. What color is Lyubov's bedroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Lopakhin's character different than that of Firs? How are they alike?

2. Describe the relationship between Varya and Lopakhin.

3. Describe Dunyasha's character. How does she dress? What is she constantly distracted by? Is she dedicated to her job?

4. Describe Gaev's character. Who is he/she related to in the play? How? What does this character do persistently that annoys the others?

5. Which character had a lover in Paris? What became of this situation?

6. How is Varya's character unique in the play? What role does she fulfill in the household? What is her style of dress?

7. Who is Charlotta? What is her position in the household? How is she described physically?

8. Describe Yasha's character. What is his/her age? What is his/her demeanor? How does he/she relate to other characters in the play?

9. What events led to Lyubov leaving the estate? When did she leave?

10. What does Lopakhin suggest Lyubov and Gaev do with the estate? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Chekhov use narrative and exposition within the play? How does this affect the dialogue and action? How is Chekhov's methods for exposition different than other playwrights or authors? Are there writers who use a similar style as Chekhov today?

Essay Topic 2

Do you think that Lyubov's actions have directly led to the consequences in the play? How have they or have they not? What other characters' actions or in-actions contribute to the outcome?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the plot structure of The Cherry Orchard. Where does the exposition transition into rising action? Where is the climax of the narrative? What does the reader/audience learn in the falling action and denouement of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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